Trump says he's 'not thrilled' about Israel's strike in Qatar targeting Hamas    Warsaw airport shut after Ukrainian reports of Russian drones over Poland    Macron appoints outgoing defense minister Sébastien Lecornu as prime minister    Approving China embassy would be unlawful, UK government told    Tunisian president meets Saudi foreign minister in Tunis Prince Faisal co-chairs Saudi-Tunisian Political Consultation Committee meeting    Arcapita acquires C&K Paving, expanding its global business services portfolio    Crown Prince to outline domestic and foreign policy priorities during Shoura Council address Wednesday    Hajj Ministry launches catering challenge to foster innovation in services to pilgrims    Saudi Arabia slams Israel's use of blockade and starvation as tactics to impose forceful displacement    PIF chief says Saudi transformation could outpace China's, outlines 'filtration' investment process The Fund to unveil its next five-year strategy soon    Anastacia: Arnold Schwarzenegger made me sing Whatta Man 12 times    Saudi Real GDP records growth of 3.9% in Q2 2025    PIF signs MoU with Macquarie Asset Management to boost investments in infrastructure and energy transition    Thousands pay their last respects to Giorgio Armani, private funeral on Monday    French doctor goes on trial for poisoning 30 patients, 12 fatally    The key to happiness    Gamers frustrated as Hollow Knight: Silksong crashes stores on launch    Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. set to meet in exhibition boxing match in 2026    Al Hilal sign Turkish defender Yusuf Akcicek on €22m deal until 2029    Al Qadsiah sign German midfielder Julian Weigl to strengthen defensive midfield    Al Ahli secure Flamengo starlet Matheus Gonçalves in long-term deal through 2027    Sholay: Bollywood epic roars back to big screen after 50 years with new ending    Ministry launches online booking for slaughterhouses on eve of Eid Al-Adha    Shah Rukh Khan makes Met Gala debut in Sabyasachi    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



SFDA okays first genetic drug to treat poor sight
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 07 - 10 - 2019

RIYADH – The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has approved registration of a genetic medicine for the treatment of hereditary loss of sight that could lead to blindness.
This cutting-edge genetic treatment is the Luxturna drug "voretigene neparvovec".
Luxturna, the revolutionary new form of treatment, is deemed the first genetic treatment in Saudi Arabia that will save people with a rare inherited disorder from going blind. The disorder is known as inherited retinal disorder.
Luxturna has been approved for the treatment of adults and children suffering from sight loss due to inherited retinal disorder caused by genetic mutation of the gene "RPE65". The genetic mutation prevents the body from producing a protein that is necessary for vision (sight), hence, leading to sight loss and ultimately to entire loss of vision and blindness.
The SFDA said that the effective substance in the drug Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec) is a modified virus containing an active replica of the gene "RPE65". After injecting the substance, this gene is transferred to the retina cells (the layer in the rear part of the eye that can identify light). This enables the retina to produce the protein necessary for vision. The virus used for transferring the gene does not cause any disease to humans.
Luxturna is administered under anesthesia by surgeons specialized in retina surgery. The patient will take one shot in each eye on two separate days, with a gap of at least six days between the two operations.
Luxturna is injected directly under the retina. The SFDA has confirmed that tests have been conducted on the efficacy and safety of Luxturna, based on a third degree clinical study conducted on 31 volunteers. It was noticed that the vision of the patients, who used Luxturna, improved as seen from their ability to move from one place to another and follow a specific route fitted with dim lights, the SFDA said.


Clic here to read the story from its source.