Second Sight announces Argus II commercial progress, plans for expansion

PHILADELPHIA — Second Sight plans to expand the Argus II retinal prosthesis system for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa into additional markets in the next several years, according to a speaker here.

At the Wills Vision Research Center at Jefferson annual symposium, Anthony Moses, commercial vice president, Americas, at Second Sight, discussed the recent progress of the device — 3-year data results were announced in June — as well as its future market expansion.

The device is currently commercialized at 13 centers in North America and 17 centers in Europe and the Middle East. In the U.S., two carriers from Medicare currently have favorable coverage decisions in place.

“We also have a series of private payers on board, and pre-authorizations are one of our most active components in our reimbursement team for allowing surgeons to continue benefiting the patients,” Moses said. “We have a full cohort of codes in place for the surgeon, the surgery and the facility to continue positively providing this service to the population at large.”

The next major data set, 5-year results of the device, will be presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting in November, Moses said.

Second Sight currently has one patient enrolled in a pilot study to investigate the Argus II as a therapeutic option for age-related macular degeneration.

The company has also developed the Orion I visual cortical stimulator to treat all forms of blindness. First study enrollment is intended for mid-2017, Moses said. – by Kristie L. Kahl

Disclosure: Moses reports he is commercial vice president, Americas, at Second Sight.