From new MIEBO approvals to AI-powered partnerships, these are the news stories and studies that caught our attention this week…
Gene genie. RetinalGeniX (Petaluma, CA) has partnered with diagnostics lab services firm, Labcorp, to launch its DNA/RNA/GPS Pharmaco-Genetic Mapping platform. The program provides anonymous high-resolution retinal imaging and genetic testing for both systemic and ocular diseases, using proprietary algorithms developed by the company to correlate genetic and retinal biomarkers. Patients will retain full control over their health records, which remain confidential throughout the process, the company states. To improve access to – and affordability of – the digital platform, RetinalGeniX is now working with regulators to create CPT codes for reimbursement. Link
MIEBO approved in China. China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved Heng Qin (perfluorohexyloctane eye drops) for patients suffering with dry eye associated with MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction). Sold in the US as MIEBO, Heng Qin – developed in China by Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals – represents the first perfluorohexyloctane-based treatment to be approved for sale in the country. Link
AI diagnostics for IRDs. Heidelberg Engineering has announced the publication of its Eye2Gene partnership study in Nature Machine Intelligence, “marking a significant advance in AI-powered diagnostics for inherited retinal diseases (IRDs).” The Eye2Gene tool analyzes multimodal retinal scans – FAF, IR, and SD-OCT – from SPECTRALIS systems to predict the causative gene in IRD cases, achieving expert-level accuracy. Trained on over 58,000 scans, the model showed 83 percent top-5 prediction accuracy and outperformed clinicians using FAF alone. Validated across five international centers, Eye2Gene supports earlier referrals, variant prioritization, and increased diagnostic yield. The system is integrated into the HEYEX 2 platform, enabling real-time AI-assisted gene prediction directly within clinical workflows. Link
Novel therapy for Wet AMD and DR. A Nature Communications study has introduced PRL3-zumab, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting PRL-3 (phosphatase of regenerating liver-3), as a novel anti-angiogenic therapy for neovascular eye diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). The researchers – based at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), and the National University of Singapore – revealed that PRL-3 is highly expressed in abnormal ocular blood vessels but not in healthy vasculature, making it an attractive and specific target. In preclinical models, PRL3-zumab effectively suppressed choroidal neovascularization and retinal vascular leakage, comparable to or better than current anti-VEGF treatments. Notably, it worked through a VEGF-independent mechanism, offering a potential therapeutic option for patients who do not respond to standard anti-VEGF therapies. These findings support further clinical development of PRL3-zumab as a next-generation biologic for neovascular eye disease. Link
