Visual Acuity

ATLANTA, March 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alimera Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALIM) (“Alimera”), a global pharmaceutical company whose mission is to be invaluable to patients, physicians and partners concerned with retinal health and maintaining better vision longer, announces that the first patient has been randomized in the DRCR Retina Network’s Protocol AL. The study is titled, “A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating Intravitreal Faricimab (6.0 mg) Injections or Fluocinolone Acetonide (0.19 mg) Intravitreal Implants vs Observation for Prevention of Visual Acuity Loss due to Radiation Retinopathy.” The study, chaired by Arun Singh, M.D. (Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio), plans to include 600 participants with primary choroidal melanoma receiving treatment with plaque brachytherapy. It will assess development of macular edema and associated long-term visual acuity effects of consistent and continuous release of corticosteroid or repeated injections of anti-VEGF initiated near the time of radiation therapy compared to observation until macular edema develops in patients at risk for radiation retinopathy. “We are very excited that this study is underway as it has the potential to show ILUVIEN addressing another unmet need affecting the retina,” said Rick Eiswirth, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alimera. “We believe ILUVIEN with CONTINUOUS MICRODOSING™ delivery may prevent, delay or reduce the occurrence of the complication of radiation retinopathy and consequent vision loss when used in patients treated with plaque brachytherapy and look forward to the continuing progress of this study.” About Radiation Retinopathy Radiation retinopathy (RR) is a common complication after Iodine-125 plaque brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma. Although the initial radiation insult is immediate, clinical onset of RR is not seen until many months later and RR frequently progresses over time to profound vision loss. The Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study reported that at three years, 45% of patients have visual acuity 20/200 or worse. A treatment that prevents the development of RR, or dampens its severity, would have important consequences for many of these eyes that may be successfully treated for choroidal melanoma but will likely develop severe RR and loss of vision over time. About the DRCR Retina Network (DRCR.net) The DRCR Retina Network was formed in 2002 and includes clinical sites and physicians throughout the United States and Canada. It is funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, which is the federal government agency that funds medical research. The DRCR Retina Network is supported in overall operation and leadership by the office of the Network Chairs (Daniel F. Martin, M.D., Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio and Jennifer K. Sun, M.D., M.P.H., Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts) and the Coordinating Center (Executive Director Adam R. Glassman, M.S., Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa, FL), and the National Eye Institute (Project Officer, Sangeeta Bhargava, Ph.D.). About ILUVIEN The Company’s primary product is ILUVIEN (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) 0.19 mg sustained release intravitreal implant, injected into the back of the eye. With its CONTINUOUS MICRODOSING™ technology, ILUVIEN is designed to release sub-microgram levels of fluocinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid, for 36 months, to reduce the recurrence of disease, enabling patients to maintain vision longer with fewer injections. ILUVIEN is approved in the U.S., Kuwait, Lebanon and the U.A.E. to treat diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients who have been previously treated with a course of corticosteroids and did not have a clinically significant rise in intraocular pressure. In 17 European countries, ILUVIEN is indicated for the treatment of vision impairment associated with chronic DME considered insufficiently responsive to available therapies. In March 2019, ILUVIEN received approval in the 17 countries under the Mutual Recognition Procedure for prevention of relapse in recurrent non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye. The 17 European countries include the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Czechia, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The non-infectious posterior uveitis indication for ILUVIEN was launched in Germany and the U.K. in late 2019, Belgium in 2021 and Spain and Italy in 2022. Alimera markets YUTIQ® (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) 0.18mg for treatment of uveitis in the United States. About Alimera Sciences, Inc. Alimera Sciences is a global pharmaceutical company whose mission is to be invaluable to patients, physicians and partners concerned with retinal health and maintaining better vision longer. For more information, please visit . Forward Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding, among other things, Alimera’s expectations with respect to ILUVIEN’s potential to address another unmet need affecting the retina. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in its forward-looking statements. Meaningful factors which could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, ILUVIEN’s ability to prevent or reduce the occurrence of the complication of radiation retinopathy and consequent vision loss when used in patients treated with plaque brachytherapy, as well as other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of Alimera’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 which is on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and available on the SEC’s website at All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein. Alimera cautions investors not to rely too heavily on the forward-looking statements Alimera makes or that are made on its behalf. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release (unless another date is indicated). Alimera undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, to publicly update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For press inquiries: Cassy Dump for Alimera Sciences 619-971-1887 cassydoespr@gmail.com For investor inquiries: Scott Gordon for Alimera Sciences scottg@coreir.com

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a global specialty materials and chemical company, announced the launch of iDose® TR by Glaukos Corporation using Celanese’s VitalDose® EVA to provide sustained drug release for the treatment of glaucoma. The majority of glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients are non-compliant with topical medication use due to complex dosing regiments, side effects, and eye-drop intolerance. Sustained delivery of therapeutics provides an important approach in addressing non-compliance and improving treatment outcomes. With iDose® TR and the VitalDose® EVA, there is now the opportunity to provide continuous dosing which can improve patient compliance and address adherence issues. iDose® TR was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2023 and is a first-of-its-kind, long-duration, intracameral procedural pharmaceutical therapy designed to continuously deliver 24/7 therapeutic levels of a proprietary formulation of travoprost inside the eye for extended periods of time. iDose® TR was approved on the basis of two pivotal trials (1,150 subjects randomized across both trials), which demonstrated safety and efficacy. Glaukos used the VitalDose® EVA to create a nanoporous membrane for travoprost delivery in iDose® TR. The VitalDose® EVA is a platform that can be formulated into a wide range of form factors to suit drug delivery needs for various conditions. “A clear unmet need exists in ophthalmology for therapies that address non-compliance and reduce the treatment burden for patients,” says Cyonna Holmes, global business strategy leader for Ophthalmology and RNA at Celanese. “Our team is excited to support Glaukos as they transform the landscape of glaucoma treatment for millions of patients.” The VitalDose® EVA Drug Delivery Platform provides reliable, controlled-release performance and has a long history of use in approved parenteral drug products in the United States and Europe. For more information on Celanese VitalDose® technology, visit . About Celanese Celanese is a global leader in chemistry, producing specialty material solutions used across most major industries and consumer applications. Our businesses use our chemistry, technology and commercial expertise to create value for our customers, employees and shareholders. We are committed to sustainability by responsibly managing the materials we create for their entire lifecycle and are growing our portfolio of sustainable products to meet increasing customer and societal demand. We strive to make a positive impact in our communities and foster inclusivity across our teams. Celanese is a Fortune 500 company that employs approximately 12,400 employees worldwide with 2023 net sales of $10.9 billion. iDose TR Indication and Important Safety Information INDICATIONS AND USAGE iDose TR (travoprost intracameral implant) is indicated for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT). Dosage and Administration For ophthalmic intracameral administration. The intracameral administration should be carried out under standard aseptic conditions. Contraindications iDose TR is contraindicated in patients with active or suspected ocular or periocular infections, patients with corneal endothelial cell dystrophy (e.g., Fuch’s Dystrophy, corneal guttatae), patients with prior corneal transplantation, or endothelial cell transplants (e.g., Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty [DSAEK]), patients with hypersensitivity to travoprost or to any other components of the product. Warnings and Precautions iDose TR should be used with caution in patients with narrow angles or other angle abnormalities. Monitor patients routinely to confirm the location of the iDose TR at the site of administration. Increased pigmentation of the iris can occur. Iris pigmentation is likely to be permanent. Adverse Reactions In controlled studies, the most common ocular adverse reactions reported in 2% to 6% of patients were increases in intraocular pressure, iritis, dry eye, visual field defects, eye pain, ocular hyperaemia, and reduced visual acuity.

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at CES 2024, OrCam Technologies introduce the OrCam Hear device, emphasizing the company's commitment to provide innovative AI-driven assistive technology for individuals with hearing impairment. OrCam Hear is pioneering the revolution of hearing technologies. Powered by cutting-edge AI technology and proprietary voice enhancement deep learning models, OrCam Hear excels in isolating the voices of distinct speakers using their voice signatures.It seamlessly amplifies the targeted speakers, while effectively removing other voices and ambient noise for an unparalleled audio experience. Thus, OrCam Hear enables people to overcome the difficulty to understand speech in noisy situations, known as the "cocktail party problem", a well-recognized challenge for traditional hearing aids. This overwhelming cacophony can lead to avoidance of social situations, which significantly impacts overall quality of life. The OrCam Hear helps people who are hard of hearing to discern and focus on specific voices in various social situations. At the Pepcom Digital Experience event at the Mirage beginning at 7 pm today, members of the media will have the opportunity to experience OrCam Hear along with other exciting new devices and meet CEO Elad Serfaty. How it Works The OrCam Hear's EarBuds and a Mobile phone dongle are controlled by a dedicated app available for iPhone. After sampling the selected voices for a few seconds, using AI, the app creates a unique speaker profile that encapsulates the voice signature for each of the speakers. This allows users to selectively isolate specific voices even in noisy environments. The OrCam Hear user can select the members of the conversation by turning each speaker "on"/"off" accordingly, with a single tap, enabling effective muting all other voices and ambient noise. "The use of deep networks plus the latest network architectures large language models are harnessed to make a game changing experience for hearing aids and hearables in general. The problem of "speech in noise" or commonly called the "cocktail party problem" in academic literature has been a very difficult problem to tackle at a product level. Moving from an academic demonstration to a seamless product took years to perfect" said Prof. Amnon Shashua, OrCam's cofounder. **OrCam Hear is currently in a technology preview phase and is expected to be shipped later in the year. More details about its release will be shared in the near future. OrCam Introduces Advanced AI Companion for OrCam MyEye, Elevating Independence of Low Vision Users OrCam's augmented AI now enhances its MyEye device, offering unprecedented support for users with visual impairments. This leap forward in assistive technology is marked by a broadening of the device's capabilities, from immediate text reading, facial recognition, and product identification to dynamic interactions similar to natural conversations. Whether by voice, gesture, or tap on the device, users can now seamlessly inquire about their surroundings. OrCam's AI companion is sharply tuned to the individual user, allowing for precise, on-demand responses that cater to the wearer's unique inquiries. It tailors its feedback to individual preferences and interests, thus personalizing the user experience and supporting greater user autonomy. For example, by tapping the device, the user will get a general summary of a scene or document, and if requested by the user a detailed information of specific matters in real-time - be it items on a menu or detailed medicine leaflet. OrCam MyEye's artificial intelligence extends its reach beyond immediate environmental interaction to access extensive information. By engaging with the web, the AI companion offers users a detailed understanding of a wide range of topics and current events. This provides them with verbal access to visual / text information from both offline and online sources. This positions OrCam MyEye as an assistive companion that not only simplifies tasks such as reading and identifying objects and people, but also serves as a gateway to the extensive repository of data, information, and services available. With this enhancement, OrCam demonstrates its commitment to transforming MyEye from a device that simply interprets visual input into a comprehensive assistant that actively converses, learns, and assists users in interacting with their surroundings on a daily basis. OrCam's Co-Founder, Prof. Amnon Shashua, explained: "OrCam's MyEye, equipped with the new AI companion including the latest Large Language Models (LLMs), now serves as a beacon of innovation in assistive technology. In order to provide users with visual impairments with a high level of autonomy, the OrCam MyEye uses sophisticated algorithms and LLMs models to better understand and respond to natural language queries. This makes interactions more intuitive and effective for users as they navigate their informational and physical surroundings. This new AI companion highlights the progress being made in AI to create a more inclusive and empowered experience for those who rely on technological assistance in their daily lives." In 2019, OrCam MyEye received the prestigious "Best Inventions" award from Time Magazine. Learn more about OrCam MyEye here: . OrCam Read 3 Unveils 'Just Ask' Feature: A Game-Changing AI Magnifier for Empowering the Visually Impaired with Free Speech Interaction OrCam Read 3 is an all-in-one solution, with an Interactive AI Assistant, designed to support people with vision loss or reading fatigue and throughout vision changes. It functions as a handheld reading companion, as a magnifier, or a stationary reader, based on the users' needs and comfort. OrCam unveiled the new "Just Ask" smart magnifier feature for its popular OrCam Read 3 device. The "Just Ask" feature on the OrCam Read 3 is an innovative leap in assistive reading technology that is tailored specifically to the needs of individuals with visual impairments or reading challenges. The device captures an image of the text or handwriting the user is interested in - this could range from a book page to a handwritten letter. Once the image is captured, the OrCam Read 3 processes it with its AI capabilities. The "Just Ask" feature offers a wide range of interactive options. Firstly, it summarizes any captured text, which is particularly useful when users need a quick understanding of longer articles or documents without reading every word. The user can ask follow-up questions related to the text and beyond. In addition, it can read the full text aloud, which is beneficial for users who need complete information from legal documents, comprehensive reports or reading books for pleasure. "Just Ask" is distinguished in its ability to provide contextual information. Users can make queries related to the text, extending beyond the captured words— for instance, if a user is reading about a historical figure, they might request a biography. OrCam Read 3 responds by leveraging internet resources to furnish the user with the requested information, thus serving not just as a reader, but as an interactive tool that delivers an enriched knowledge experience. This capacity to interact with text and provide responses makes it more than just a magnifier or a simple document reader; it effectively turns into a powerful reference tool that can enhance the users' understanding and connection with the content they are engaging with. For those with visual impairments, it represents a significant enhancement in their ability to independently access a wider range of information and enjoy a deeper reading experience. In addition to its advanced AI capabilities, the OrCam Read 3 also includes standard magnifier features, allowing users to zoom in on text and other visual elements to enhance readability and accessibility. This versatile combination of magnification and AI-powered text recognition and interpretation makes the OrCam Read 3 a comprehensive and user-friendly tool for individuals with visual impairments or reading fatigue. When used as a handheld reading companion, OrCam Read 3 retains all the benefits of the original OrCam Read, redesigned with easy-to-navigate yellow buttons and new voice options. Instantly read printed or digital text from any surface, at home or on the go. "Advancements in AI are not merely a matter of technological evolution; they represent a significant shift in how we interact with our world. With the right application, AI can extend human capabilities, open new prospects for innovation, and create a landscape where technology and humanity progress in harmony." - Prof. Amnon Shashua OrCam Co-Founder. OrCam Learn – Bridging Gaps | For Learning Differences and ELL Students OrCam Learn represents an innovative solution specifically tailored to assist students coping with learning and reading challenges, such as dyslexia and ADHD. By leveraging AI technology, OrCam Learn delivers personalized support, enhances reading accessibility, and improves fluency, accuracy, and comprehension. Through a host of interactive and personalized AI features, OrCam Learn can read text out loud from any surface, as well as listen to - and provide feedback on the child's reading and comprehension, summarize and translate the text, and explain words by using a dictionary upon request. In conclusion, OrCam Learn is designed to equip students with learning and reading differences and ELL students, with the tools and support their need to learn comfortably in various settings. This pioneering technology marks a significant advancement in enhancing the educational experience for individuals with specific learning needs. OrCam Learn is already being adopted by thousands of individuals, as well as by schools all over the United States. To learn more please visit: . About OrCam : OrCam Technologies is a global leader in personal AI assistive technology platforms. It was jointly founded in 2010 by Israeli innovators Prof. Amnon Shashua and Mr. Ziv Aviram, who are also the Co-founders of Mobileye, a leading collision avoidance system and autonomous driving innovator now part of Intel. OrCam is dedicated to providing increased independence to people who are blind or visually impaired, have reading and learning challenges, or are experiencing hearing loss. The company's mission is to enrich people's daily experiences with personal assistive handheld and wearable AI devices that promote confidence and independence. This reflects OrCam's commitment to harnessing AI-driven technology to address a wide range of accessibility needs. For more information: and YouTube and follow OrCam on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. To locate a dealer near you, or to schedule a firsthand demonstration please email [email protected]. Press evaluation samples are available for loan. Media contact: Leigh Brandt, Lightspeed PR/M, [email protected] SOURCE OrCam