Welcoming Gowtham Jonna, MD - Retina Consultants of...
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NEWS Retina Research Center and Retina Consultants of Austin are pleased to announce the addition of Gowtham Jonna, MD as the newest member of their team. Dr. Jonna specializes in medical and surgical management of vitreoretinal diseases. Dr. Jonna was raised in Jamaica in the West Indies before moving to New Jersey. In 2007, he graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers University with a degree in biological sciences and minor in economics. Dr. Jonna stayed in New Jersey and completed medical school at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, receiving honors in both his junior and senior year. After medical school, he completed his transitional year internship at Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center in New York followed by an ophthalmology residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine where he was elected as chief resident and received the Academic Excellence Award in ophthalmology. Dr. Jonna then went on to complete a comprehensive two-year medical and surgical vitreoretinal fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee where he was hon- ored with the J. Donald M. Gass, MD Fellow Award. During his fellowship, Dr. Jonna received a grant from the Nation- al Eye Institute as well as the Vitreoretinal Surgery Foundation Award for his research on enhanced depth imaging OCT of Ultrasonographically flat choroidal nevi; Dr. Jonna will present his work at American Academy of Ophthalmology in New Orleans in November. Dr. Jonna is recently married and his wife is an anesthesiologist and Texas native. In their free time they enjoy music, travel and fitness. Fall 2017 Welcoming Gowtham Jonna, MD Aerpio Therapeutics is conducting a Phase II clinical trial evaluating subcutaneous injections of AKB-9778, a Tie2 activa- tor, in patients with moderate to severe diabetic retinopathy. Retina Research Center is currently enrolling for this trial and is also participating in an ERG sub-study evaluating the RETeval device. For study purposes, the RETeval is used to screen for vision threatening diabetic retinopathy with a 3 minute, non-mydriatic test, but the ERG can also be utilized for some of the indications listed in the table below. An ERG measures the electrical activity of retinal cells in response to a light stimulus. During the test, electrodes placed below the eye measure the summation of retinal electrical activity. Full field ERG (30 Hz flicker) has been shown to be useful in not only cone inherited retinal conditions such as cone dystrophies, but also in diabetic retinopathy, vein occlusions, and drug toxicities. The test is validated using gold standard ETDRS 7-standard field photography. The RETeval is available to our clinic patients at our Central Austin office. If you have any patients that require an ERG please contact our Central Austin office for more details. Dr. Jonna is accepting new patients at our Central Austin, South Austin and Round Rock locations starting in October 2017. If you are interested in receiving more information about our enrolling trials, please contact Dr. Jonna at [email protected] to arrange a meeting in your office. Electroretinography (ERG) Testing • Pediatric Nystagmus • Unexplained Vision Loss • Trouble Seeing in the Dark • Changes in Color vision • Glaucoma • Diabetic Retinopathy • Central Retinal Vein Occlusion • Acquired and Inherited Retinal Diseases Common Uses for ERG Tests
Transcript of Welcoming Gowtham Jonna, MD - Retina Consultants of...
NEWS Retina Research Center and Retina Consultants of Austin are pleased to announce the
addition of Gowtham Jonna, MD as the newest member of their team. Dr. Jonna
specializes in medical and surgical management of vitreoretinal diseases.
Dr. Jonna was raised in Jamaica in the West Indies before moving to New Jersey. In 2007,
he graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers University with a degree in biological
sciences and minor in economics. Dr. Jonna stayed in New Jersey and completed medical
school at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School where he was inducted into the Alpha
Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, receiving honors in both his junior and senior year.
After medical school, he completed his transitional year internship at Memorial Sloan-
Kettering Cancer Center in New York followed by an ophthalmology residency at Albert
Einstein College of Medicine where he was elected as chief resident and received the
Academic Excellence Award in ophthalmology. Dr. Jonna then went on to complete a comprehensive two-year medical
and surgical vitreoretinal fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee where he was hon-
ored with the J. Donald M. Gass, MD Fellow Award. During his fellowship, Dr. Jonna received a grant from the Nation-
al Eye Institute as well as the Vitreoretinal Surgery Foundation Award for his research on enhanced depth imaging OCT
of Ultrasonographically flat choroidal nevi; Dr. Jonna will present his work at American Academy of Ophthalmology in
New Orleans in November.
Dr. Jonna is recently married and his wife is an anesthesiologist and Texas native. In their free time they enjoy music,
travel and fitness.
Fall 2017
Welcoming Gowtham Jonna, MD
Aerpio Therapeutics is conducting a Phase II clinical trial evaluating subcutaneous injections of AKB-9778, a Tie2 activa-tor, in patients with moderate to severe diabetic retinopathy. Retina Research Center is currently enrolling for this trial and is also participating in an ERG sub-study evaluating the RETeval device. For study purposes, the RETeval is used to screen for vision threatening diabetic retinopathy with a 3 minute, non-mydriatic test, but the ERG can also be utilized for some of the indications listed in the table below.
An ERG measures the electrical activity of retinal cells in response to a light stimulus. During the test, electrodes placed below the eye measure the summation of retinal electrical activity. Full field ERG (30 Hz flicker) has been shown to be useful in not only cone inherited retinal conditions such as cone dystrophies, but also in diabetic retinopathy, vein occlusions, and drug toxicities. The test is validated using gold standard ETDRS 7-standard field photography.
The RETeval is available to our clinic patients at our Central Austin office. If you have any patients that require an ERG please contact our Central Austin office for more details.
Dr. Jonna is accepting new patients at our Central Austin, South Austin and Round Rock locations starting
in October 2017. If you are interested in receiving more information about our enrolling trials, please
contact Dr. Jonna at [email protected] to arrange a meeting in your office.
Electroretinography (ERG) Testing
• Pediatric Nystagmus • Unexplained Vision Loss • Trouble Seeing in the Dark • Changes in Color vision
• Glaucoma • Diabetic Retinopathy • Central Retinal Vein
Occlusion • Acquired and Inherited
Retinal Diseases
Common Uses for ERG Tests
Carlos Julian
Katherine
Publications 1. Gale J, Berger BB, Gilbert S, Popa S, Sultan MB, Schachar RA, Girgenti D, Perros -Huguet C. Efficacy and Safety of Oral CCR2/5 Chemokine Receptor Antagonist versus Intravitreal Ranibizumab in Adults with Diabetic Macular Edema: Phase II Study . Submitted to Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2. Rosenfeld PJ, Gress A, Ye L, Magee M, Parham LR, Berger BB, Reichel E, Danis RP, McLaughlin MM. A Phase 2 Study with an Anti-Amyloid β Monoclonal Antibody in Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age- Related Macular Degeneration. Submitted to Ophthalmology. 3. Chirag Jhaveri, MD. PFO Marble for Macular Hole Retinal Detachments. American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.orgclinical-video/pfo-marble-macular-hole-retinal-detachments 4. Lyons LJ, Chexal S. Cavernous Hemangioma and Arnold-Chiari Malformation. Accepted by Retina Today. 5. Lyons LJ, Vrcek I, Somogy M, Taheri K, Admirand JH, Chexal S, Loukas DF, Nakra T. NK/T-Cell Lymphoma
Invading the Orbit and Globe. October 2017 issue of BUMC Proceedings.
Presentations
1. Berger BB. A Phase 2 Study (EMERGE) of Intravitreal Administration of ICON-1 in Patients with Choroidal Ne-ovascularization (CNV) Secondary to Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Retina Society, Boston, Mas-sachusetts. October 7, 2017.
2. Jonna G. Enhanced Depth Imaging OCT of Ultrasonographically Flat Choroidal Nevi Demonstrates 5 Distinct Patterns. American Academy of Ophthalmology. November 12, 2017.
Study Results Updates
Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Brolucizumab: Treatment for wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Novartis is evaluating the efficacy of intravitreal RTH258 (brolucizumab) compared to Eylea in treatment of neovascular AMD. Brolucizumab is a humanized single chain antibody fragment with a high affinity for VEGF. Comparatively
speaking, brolucizumab is a small molecule at 26kDa in size compared to 50 kDa and 150kDa for Eylea and Lucentis respectively; its’ smaller size allows for a higher dose to be injected into the eye resulting in greater potency. Brolucizumab is being evaluated in over 1800 patients enrolled in two parallel Phase III clinical trials, Hawk and Harrier. Hawk and Harrier are two years in duration and RRC enrolled eight patients in the Hawk study. On June 2017, Novartis announced that brolucizumab met its primary endpoint of non-inferiority to Eylea in mean change in best corrected visual acuity from baseline to week 48. Two doses of brolucizumab, 3mg and 6mg, are being evaluated and over 50% of the patients in the 6mg brolucizumab arm were able to maintain a q12 week dosing regiment following the loading dose through week 48. Detailed results will be presented at American Academy of Ophthalmology in New Orleans in November 2017. Link to press release.
Apellis Pharmaceuticals Filly Study
On August 24, 2017, Apellis Pharmaceuticals announced that their Phase II geographic atrophy study, Filly, met its primary endpoint. The Filly study enrolled 246 patients that were randomized to receive intravitreal injections of APL-2, a complement C3 inhibitor, or sham monthly or every other for 12 months. RRC enrolled 4 patients into the Filly study. Geographic atrophy was measured by fundus auto-fluorescence photos. At 12 months, patient treated with APL-2 showed a 29% reduction in the rate of GA growth compared to sham in the monthly arm and 20% reduction in the every other month treatment arm. A greater effect was observed during the second 6 months in a post hoc analysis with a 47% and 33% reduction in growth in monthly and every other month respectively. Apellis is planning to proceed with a Phase III study as soon as possible. Link to press release
Genentech Spectri
Following positive results in the Phase II Mahalo study, Genentech is investigating the efficacy of a 10mg dose of Lampalizumab, an antigen-binding fragment of a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets comple-ment factor D. Two identical Phase III trials, Spectri and Chroma are ongoing and enrolled more than 1800 patients over 275 sites around the world. Patients were randomized to receive intravitreal 10mg Lampalizumab injections or sham q4 or 6 weeks for 2 years. Spectri completed enrollment prior to Chroma and on Septem-ber 8, 2017 Genentech announced that Spectri did not meet its primary endpoint in reducing mean change in geography atrophy area at week 48 in patients patient treated with Lampalizumab versus to sham. RRC en-rolled 15 patients into the Chroma study and results from that study are expected in November 2017. Genentech will provide additional details on their pro-gram after the Chroma results. Link to press release
Retina Research Center is currently participating in 22 Phase I-IV clinical trials, 7 of which are currently enrolling.
Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration University of Virginia TOGA (Treatment with Oracea for Geographic Atrophy) - A Phase III study to evaluate the effi-cacy of daily administration of ORACEA®, a tetracycline derivative approved for treatment of rosacea, on the rate of change of geographic atrophy in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration. Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy DRCR Protocol W - Intravitreous Anti-VEGF Treatment for Prevention of Vision Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy in Eyes at High Risk Aerpio Therapeutics AKB-9778-CI-5001 (NPDR) - A Phase II study assessing the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous-ly administered AKB-9778 15mg once daily or 15mg bid for 12 months compared to placebo in patients with moderate to severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Boehringer Ingelheim Protocol 1386.12 ROBIN - A Phase IIa study evaluating safety and efficacy of oral BI 1467335 in patients with moderate to severe diabetic retinopathy Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy DRCR Protocol AB - Intravitreous Anti-VEGF vs. Prompt Vitrectomy for Vitreous Hemorrhage from Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Retinal Vein Occlusions Taiwan Liposome Company TLC399A2002 (CME due to RVO) - A Phase II study evaluating TLC399 (ProDex) in subject with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusions. ProDex is a combination injection of dexamethasone and a phospholipid. Macular Telangiectasia MacTel Project - A natural history and observation registry study (NHOR) designed to characterize and document clin-ical features and structural and functional changes of MacTel type 2
Enrolling Trials
Neurotech and Lowy Medical Research Institute Neurotech and Lowy Medical Research Institute (LMRI) are collaborating on a
natural history registry study and an interventional Phase III program, NT-501, in patients with MacTel. Neurotech is a privately held biotech company focused on development of therapies in eye disease utilizing their patented genetically engineered ocular implant, Encapsulated Cell Therapy (ECT). LMRI is a non-profit re-search institute founded by Frank Lowy, a real estate developer whose son was diagnosed with MacTel. LMRI initi-ated a registry study in 2005 to gather a database of patients with MacTel Type II. This database is used to document clinical and structural features of MacTel, determine if there is a genetic component to the disease and aide in identi-fying potential consenting patients for treatments in clinical trials such as the Neurotech Phase III NT-501 trial. RRC will be enrolling patients into both studies in the near future.
New Collaborations
Since its’ inception, RRC has developed relationships with most major pharmaceutical companies and we are continuing to expand our network with the following projects.
Boehringer Ingelheim
• A family owned company found-ed by Albert Boehringer in 1885
• Therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, respiratory, cen-tral nervous system, metabolic and virological dis-eases, oncology and recently ophthalmology
• Approved products: Pradaxa & Spiriva • Boehringer Ingelheim has 50,000 employees and
invests over 3 billion in research and development • Working with RRC in developing an oral agent for
moderate to severe diabetic retinopathy
Taiwanese Liposome Company
• Founded in Taiwan by research scientist and consultant, Keelung
Hung, PhD in 1997
• Therapeutic areas: oncology, arthritis, anesthetics, peripheral artery disease and ophthalmology
• Approved products: Lipodox • Utilize patented technologies to deliver drugs • BioSeizer is a lipid based technology that is cur-
rently being evaluated at RRC in a vein occlusion study
Contact Us Brian B Berger, MD—[email protected] Chirag Jhaveri, MD—[email protected] Saradha Chexal, MD—[email protected] Gowtham Jonna, MD—[email protected]
Ivana Gunderson—[email protected] Cori Renfroe— [email protected]
Boris Corak—[email protected] Daniela Rodriguez—[email protected]
www.retinaresearchcenter.com
RESEARCH DINNERS On October 4, 2017 RRC is hosting a recruitment dinner for the Aerpio Time-2b study at Estancia Churrascaria in Austin, TX. The Time-2b study is evaluating the efficacy of subcutaneous injections of AKB-9778 in moderate to se-vere non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. AKB-9778 is a Tie2 activator and first in class molecule in development for treatment of diabetic eye disease. Mitchell Brigell, PhD, VP of clinical research with Aerpio, will join us as the guest speaker. Please contact Ivana Gunderson at [email protected] if you are interested in attending.
Institute for Retina Research
If you or your foundation are interested in making a tax-deductible contribution, please visit our website at www.e-retina.net or click HERE.
Farewell to Tina
Tina Seidu was a clinical
research coordinator at RRC from
May 2015 through June 2017.
Tina earned her Bachelor of Arts
degree in Public Health Studies
with departmental honors from
Johns Hopkins University in May
2014. She then completed her
Master of Health Science degree
in Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology, with a Certificate in Population and Health at
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in
May 2015 before leaving her hometown of Baltimore
and moving to Austin to join the RRC team. Tina had
lifelong ambitions of going to medical school and having
a lifelong career of merging science and medicine in re-
search. We are proud to announce that Tina has started
her medical training in August 2017 at Howard Universi-
ty College of Medicine in Washington, DC. We thank
her for her hard work and dedication and wish her the
best.
Welcome Cori
Cori Renfroe started his position at RRC as a clinical
research coordinator in February 2017. Cori graduated
from the University of Texas in Austin with a Bachelor
of Science and Arts degree in December of 2016. During
his undergrad, he took a break from school and went to
Korea on a two year missionary trip where he learned
Korean while teaching English in classes open to the
community.
Cori has aspirations of going to medical school and was
accepted to a Texas school earlier
this year. Cori deferred admis-
sion and elected to accept a posi-
tion at RRC in order to gain more
research experience prior to at-
tending medical school. Cori is
currently interviewing at medical
schools for the 2018 academic
year.
We are excited to work with Cori
and help prepare him for his
future career in medicine.
FUTURE DOCTORS
Teaching and education are an important part of RRC. Our staff doctors, Dr. Berger, Dr. Jhaveri and Dr.
Chexal are directly involved with the Texas A&M College of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch at
Galveston, Dell Medical School and the Health Careers Mentorship Program at the University of Texas at
Austin. Our physicians devote their valuable time to train and educate current and future medical students in
the latest advances in the field of ophthalmology.
