OWINGS MILLS, Md. and COLUMBIA, Md., Aug. 21, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Foundation Fighting Blindness announces an investment of $2.4 million in eight promising research projects aimed at providing treatments and identifying causes of retinal degenerative diseases including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), and Usher syndrome, among other conditions. The spectrum of funded work spans from innovating gene therapies, to advancing cell transplantation, to understanding AMD risk, to developing new therapies for an inherited condition that causes blindness at birth. Each of the eight investigative teams will receive $300,000 for its three-year research efforts.

"These eight grants are going to a truly outstanding cadre of scientists," says Dr. Stephen Rose, chief research officer, Foundation Fighting Blindness. "The funding will help investigate several approaches to saving sight and provides strong momentum for moving treatments forward, out of the lab and into the clinic."

The projects receiving funding were selected through a rigorous review process conducted by the Foundation's Scientific Advisory Board, a group comprised of the field's leading retinal researchers. A total of 35 proposals were reviewed during the grant allocation process.

Eight New Foundation Fighting Blindness-Funded Projects

Allie Gebhardt

Foundation Fighting Blindness

410-423-0643

AGebhardt@FightBlindness.org

About Foundation Fighting Blindness

The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a national nonprofit driving research that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases that affect more than 10 million Americans. Since 1971, the Foundation has raised over $450 million as the leading non-governmental funder of retinal research. Breakthrough Foundation-funded studies using gene therapy have restored significant vision in children and young adults who were previously blind, paving the way for using this method to treat a variety of retinal degenerative diseases, and proving a cure is in sight. With a network of nearly 50 chapters, the Foundation also provides support and resources to affected individuals and their families in communities across the country.

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Foundation Fighting Blindness Announces $2.4 Million in Funding for Eight New Sight-Saving Research Projects

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