Telomir-1 reverses retinal degeneration and restores vision in advanced AMD zebrafish model
Telomir Pharmaceuticals (TELO) announced a major preclinical breakthrough in its pursuit of reversing age-related diseases. The company revealed that its novel oral therapeutic, Telomir-1, delivered significant improvements in a genetically modified zebrafish model of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), offering new hope for vision restoration.
In a 14-day dosing study using the Sen57wrn-/-ND6-/+ zebrafish model—engineered to mimic the key features of human dry AMD and geographic atrophy—Telomir-1 reversed retinal degeneration, restored retinal architecture, improved central vision and acuity, and significantly reduced oxidative stress. These improvements were measured across multiple FDA-recognized surrogate endpoints.
Before treatment, the 18-month-old zebrafish showed severe vision loss, with sluggish movement and minimal response to light. Microscopic analysis revealed degradation in several key retinal layers, including the inner nuclear layer (INL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), and outer plexiform layer (OPL). Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were nearly four times higher than normal, highlighting extreme oxidative stress.
Following Telomir-1 administration, treated zebrafish demonstrated full recovery of INL thickness, improved GCL and IPL structure, and restored OPL integrity—reflecting a near-complete regeneration of retinal structure. ROS levels dropped by up to 50%, and no mortality occurred among treated subjects.
“This breakthrough reinforces our mission to target the root causes of age-related diseases,” said Telomir CEO Erez Aminov. “To our knowledge, no oral drug has ever shown this degree of retinal repair and vision recovery in an AMD model.”
Chief Scientific Advisor Dr. Angel added, “Telomir-1 has not only provided neuroprotection, but true regeneration—an achievement rarely seen in ophthalmic drug development.”
These promising results position Telomir-1 as a potential game-changer in AMD treatment and broader age-related neurodegeneration.
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