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ER-100 Epigenetic Therapy for Optic Neuropathies: Safety and Tolerability Assessment

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Study Aim

This phase 1 study aims to assess the safety and tolerability of ER-100 epigenetic therapy in individuals with optic neuropathies.

What is being tested

ER-100 epigenetic therapy

Genetic
Who is being recruted

Cranial Nerve Diseases+5

+ Eye Diseases

+ Glaucoma

From 40 to 85 Years
See all eligibility criteria
How is the trial designed

Treatment Study

Phase 1
Interventional
Study Start: January 2026
See protocol details

Summary

Principal SponsorLife Biosciences Inc.
Study ContactLife Biosciences
Last updated: January 28, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Study start date: January 1, 2026

Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.

This is a first-ever clinical trial, known as Phase 1, that aims to test the safety and tolerability of ER-100, a new investigational therapy for age-related optic neuropathies. These are conditions that affect the optic nerve, such as Open Angle Glaucoma (OAG) and Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION). ER-100 is designed to address cellular aging through epigenetic reprogramming, which means it helps to reverse changes in cells that may contribute to their decline. This therapy could potentially preserve or restore vision in people with OAG and NAION, conditions that currently lead to retinal cell damage and vision loss. The study plans to enroll up to 18 participants: 12 with OAG and 6 with NAION.

Official TitleA Phase 1 Single Dose Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of ER-100 in Optic Neuropathies [Open Angle Glaucoma (OAG) and Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)]
Principal SponsorLife Biosciences Inc.
Study ContactLife Biosciences
Last updated: January 28, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Protocol

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.
Design Details

18 patients to be enrolled

Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.

Treatment Study

These studies test new ways to treat a disease, condition, or health issue. The goal is to see if a new drug, therapy, or approach works better or has fewer side effects than existing options.



Eligibility

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.
Conditions
Criteria

Any sex

Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.

From 40 to 85 Years

Range of ages for which participants are eligible to join.

Healthy volunteers not allowed

If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.

Conditions

Pathology

Cranial Nerve DiseasesEye DiseasesGlaucomaGlaucoma, Open-AngleNervous System DiseasesOcular HypertensionOptic Nerve DiseasesRetinal Diseases

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Have clear eye structures and be able to have your pupils safely dilated so the doctor can examine the back of your eye. * Able to understand the study and sign a consent form. * Be between 40 and 85 years old. * Willing and able to follow the study schedule, including all visits and tests, and speak a language for which the study materials are available. * If a participant can become pregnant, must agree to use a condom and one highly effective form of birth control during sex for at least 4 months after receiving the study drug (ER-100). For participants with open-angle glaucoma (OAG): * Diagnosis of open-angle glaucoma in the study eye. * Eye pressure must be less than 30 mmHg, measured with a standard test. * Visual field test must show moderate to advanced vision loss (MD score between -6 and -20 dB). * Not expected to need glaucoma surgery in the study eye within 2 months after receiving ER-100. * Have reasonably good vision in the study eye (at least 20/80 on a standard eye chart). For participants with NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy): * Had a sudden, painless loss of vision in one eye within 14 days before receiving ER-100, confirmed by a specialist. Having had NAION in the other eye is okay. * The affected eye must show swelling of the optic nerve. * Visual field test must show vision loss consistent with optic nerve damage (MD worse than -3.0 dB). * If only one eye is affected, there must be a difference in pupil response between the two eyes. * Have vision in the affected eye between 20/40 and 2/500 on a standard eye chart. Exclusion Criteria: * History of optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve) or repeated episodes of eye inflammation (uveitis) not caused by injury or surgery. * Allergic reactions to tetracycline antibiotics or steroid medications. * Moderate to severe cataracts, macular problems, or corneal issues that could interfere with eye testing. * Unable to keep your eyes focused on a target during testing. * Had cataract surgery or other eye surgery (including laser procedures) within 3 months before receiving the study drug. * Had cancer (except for basal cell skin cancer) within the past 5 years. * Have Type 1 diabetes, or poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes (A1c greater than 7 despite treatment). * Have memory or thinking problems that prevent you from understanding the study or completing the required tests. * Pregnant or breastfeeding. * Have a weakened immune system, including a history of organ transplant, or test positive for HIV, hepatitis B or C, or tuberculosis. * Have any other condition that, in the opinion of the study doctor, could increase your risk from the study drug or procedures, affect the study results, or make it hard for you to complete the study. * Have macular disease, advanced diabetic eye disease, or other eye conditions that limit vision in the study eye. * Eye pressure at screening is 30 mmHg or higher. * Taking certain medications (warfarin, dilantin, carbamazepine, or barbiturates) within 14 days before starting the study or during the first 8 weeks. * Have any other eye or vision problem that, in the opinion of the study doctor, could affect safety or interfere with vision testing. * Have previously received any gene therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV). Additional Exclusion Criteria for Participants with Open-Angle Glaucoma (OAG): \- Diagnosed with glaucoma before age 40. Additional Exclusion Criteria for Participants with NAION: * Show signs of giant cell arteritis (a type of blood vessel inflammation), based on abnormal blood tests. * Had NAION start in both eyes at the same time.

Study Plan

Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.
Treatment Groups

3 intervention groups are designated in this study

This study does not include a placebo group 

Treatment Groups

Group I

Experimental
Participants with Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy will receive ER-100 at a dose selected based on safety and tolerability data from the OAG cohort. ER-100 is administered to one eye and activated by systemic doxycycline for 8 weeks. Initial enrollment is limited to three participants, with potential expansion to six following SRC review.

Group II

Experimental
Participants with Open Angle Glaucoma will receive a higher dose of ER-100 administered to one eye. ER-100 is delivered via a modified AAV vector and activated by systemic doxycycline for 8 weeks. This dose level also begins with a sentinel participant and proceeds following SRC review.

Group III

Experimental
Participants with Open Angle Glaucoma will receive a low dose of ER-100 administered to one eye. ER-100 is delivered via a modified adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector and activated by systemic doxycycline taken for 8 weeks (56 days). This dose level begins with a sentinel participant followed by additional participants after SRC review.

Study Centers

These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.

This study has 1 location

Suspended

Global Research Management, Inc.

Glendale, United StatesOpen Global Research Management, Inc. in Google Maps
Recruiting soonOne Study Center