LINCOLN, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced that it was reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) (online March 28, 2011) that its product candidate NT-501 slowed progression of vision loss in patients with geographic atrophy (GA) associated with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Phase 2 study. NT-501 is an intraocular implant that consists of human cells genetically modified to secrete ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) - a nerve growth factor capable of rescuing and protecting dying photoreceptors. GA is a condition that destroys sharp central vision, often resulting in serious vision loss to one or both eyes, for which there is no available treatment.