Pixium Vision, a company developing innovative bionic vision systems with the intention to enable patients who have lost their sight to lead more independent lives, has announced the first implantation and activation of IRIS II in Spain. This implantation is part of Pixium Vision’s ongoing multi-centre clinical trial to assess the performance of IRIS II which is supposed to provide a treatment to compensate for blindness. The 150 electrode epi-retinal implant is intended for patients who have lost their sight as a result of retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

This marks the first implant of IRIS II in Spain, a procedure performed by Prof. Borja Corcostegui, founder and medical director of the Institute of Ocular Microsurgery (IMO). Dr. Borja is a vitroretinal surgeon, and the trial’s principal investigator in Spain. The IMO is one of the clinical centres participating in the multicentre European study across France, Germany and Austria, UK and Spain. IMO is a renowned ophthalmology centre dedicated to the treatment of ocular diseases and the correction of vision.

Prof. Corcostegui commented: “This IRIS II retinal implant was completed for a 75 year old RP patient for the first time in Spain. The 150 electrode implant, with a design intended to be explantable, is an innovative option for retinal surgeons.” He added: “The patient’s system was activated and he reported first perception of light. Per clinical protocol, the patient will now enter training and re-education which is supposed to help with the necessary learning how to interpret these new light signals.”

After the activation and first light perception, some visual perception may become available. Now, the normal re-adaptation and re-education process follows where, per protocol, the patient shall enter a learning process which is supposed to help interpreting the new, artificial form of bionic vision. This artificial form of bionic vision is very different to the natural form of vision and still has to be evaluated. Khalid Ishaque, CEO of Pixium, added: "The first IRIS II implant in Spain supports the company’s mission to expand a presence across centres of excellence in Europe. Pixium Vision’s mission is dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of bionic vision systems for patients who have lost sight to retinal dystrophies.”

In parallel, the company continues the development of its second system, PRIMA, a tiny wireless sub-retinal implant. After first preclinical studies, an application for a feasibility study was submitted to regulatory bodies.