December 6, 2024. Bob Bell, PhD, chief scientific officer at Ascidian Therapeutics, talks with host Ben Shaberman about STELLAR, the company's Phase 1/2 clinical trial for its emerging RNA-rewriting therapy for Stargardt disease (ABCA4 mutations). Dr. Bell also provides overviews of Stargardt disease, the role of RNA in cells, and the advantages of RNA re-writing over other genetic treatment approaches. Learn more about the clinical trial at STELLAR (https://stellarstargardttrial.com/). Learn more about the prescreening study for STELLAR at PRESCREEN (https://stellarstargardttrial.com/#participation-criteria).

The companies are planning a Phase 3 clinical trial for the promising gene therapy.

November 15, 2024. When the Lemay-Pelletier family from Montreal learned that three of their four children were losing vision from retinitis pigmentosa, they made the bold decision to spend 15 months traveling the world to give their kids as many visual memories as possible. Podcast host Ben Shaberman talks to the family about their many incredible adventures and the National Geographic documentary (to stream on Disney+ in late 2024) that beautifully captured the journey.

The Foundation funded Dr. David Gamm for development of the induced pluripotent stem cell approach to be used in the trial.

The 36-participant trial will take place at multiple sites in Australia.

October 25, 2024. Sharon King, co-founder and president of Taylor’s Tale, talks to host Ben Shaberman about her family's journey when her daughter Taylor was diagnosed with Batten disease, a life-limiting, neurodegenerative disease that includes vision loss as a symptom. Taylor’s Tale is raising awareness of, and research funding for, Batten disease. Sharon is also a tireless advocate for the needs of the rare disease community.

Merger will provide additional capital for gene therapy development.

#WhiteCaneDay is here! Let's celebrate the strength and independence the white cane symbolizes! Do you use a white cane or other tools? Share your story with #ShareYourVision!

www.FightingBlindness.org/ShareYourVision

Researchers hope the molecule will slow the vision and hearing loss associated with USH3.

To help spread awareness during October’s Blindness Awareness Month, the Foundation Fighting Blindness invites you to share your unique experiences with blinding diseases through our social media campaign, #ShareYourVision.

Just as no two fingerprints are alike, our perception of the world through our eyes is equally distinct. Let’s come together as a beacon of hope, emphasizing the resilience found in the uniqueness of our sight. Join us this October and share your story through written word, audio, or video and inspire others!

Learn more at: www.FightingBlindness.org/ShareYourVision