Revolutionary Therapy: Needle-Free Technology for the Treatment Of Blinding Eye Disease

Revolutionary Therapy: Needle-Free Technology for the Treatment Of Blinding
Eye Disease

SAN DIEGO, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Sydney company, Seagull Technology Pty
Ltd, has developed a non-invasive drug delivery device that reduces the risks
associated with the treatment of Australia's leading cause of blindness and
severe vision loss -- Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a degenerative
disease of the retina which affects one in seven people over the age of 50.
The technology uses a special gel and ultrasound (sound waves) in a handheld
device to send drugs through the outer layers of the eye and into the damaged
retina at the back of the eye. It is painless, quick and can be done safely
in the doctors' consulting rooms rather than in a hospital or surgery.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080619/AQTH066)
Because of a worldwide ageing population, AMD is one of the fastest
growing forms of blindness and the potential market for the device is huge,
according to company Executive Director, Dr Shanny Dyer.
Currently AMD treatment can require needle injections of drugs into the
back of the eye which may cause patient fear, discomfort and carries a risk of
further eye damage through complications associated with the injection rather
than the drugs themselves.
The NSW Minister for Science and Medical Research Hon. Verity Firth, will
launch the technology at the world's biggest biotechnology convention, BIO
2008, in San Diego. Image available at
http://www.australiabio2008.com/SeagullNMR.php
Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a disease of the macula, the
central part of the retina, and can result in loss of ability to read, drive,
watch television or recognize faces.
AMD is the most common cause of vision loss in the developed world for
those over 50 years of age. There are over 200,000 cases in the US and over
20,000 in Australia of people with the "wet" form of the disease, which
currently is the only treatable form of AMD and requires the injection of
drugs directly into the eye. The market is conservatively estimated at over
$200 million annually in the US alone.
Other retinal damage caused by Diabetes related eye disease can also
benefit from the device and available treatments.
Media Contacts
Susan Fitzpatrick
susan@datelinemedia.com
In San Diego Cell: 650 279 7771

Tania Ewing
In Australia Cell: 0408378422
taniaewing@healthinbox.com

Sydney office: +1 612 9006 1614
US office: 650 798 5238

SOURCE Seagull Technology Pty Ltd

San Diego, Susan Fitzpatrick, Cell, +1-650-279-7771, susan@datelinemedia.com;
or Australia, Tania Ewing, Cell, 0408378422, taniaewing@healthinbox.com, both
for Seagull Technology Pty Ltd; or Sydney office, +1 612 9006 1614, or US
office, +1-650-798-5238