Ace Therapeutics Unveils Customized NHP Models for Geographic Atrophy Drug Development to Accelerate AMD Therapeutic Research
New York, USA - February 18, 2026 - Ace Therapeutics, a leading preclinical contract research organization with specialized expertise in ocular disease model development, today announced the launch of its validated and customized non-human primate (NHP) models designed for the preclinical study of geographic atrophy (GA), a severe late-stage form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The introduction of these models addresses a critical gap in translational drug research, providing global biopharmaceutical researchers with a gold-standard tool for NHP models in geographic atrophy drug development and advancing the discovery of effective neuroprotective therapies.
Geographic atrophy is an advanced AMD subtype characterized by irreversible atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), loss of photoreceptors and destruction of choriocapillaris vessels. Although complement-targeting therapies have recently been approved, treatment options remain limited and do not fully halt disease progression. While rodent models have been developed to mimic GA pathophysiology, their ocular anatomical, physiological and immunological differences from humans have limited the reliability of translational drug research outcomes, creating a pressing need for more relevant preclinical models.
To address this unmet need, Ace Therapeutics has leveraged its extensive experience in ocular disease model development and its comprehensive NHP research platform to develop and validate blue light-induced retinal degeneration model in NHP. The model is based on blue light-induced cellular stress, which mimics the phototoxicity-driven retinal degeneration observed in human GA patients and models key features of outer retinal degeneration associated with GA—an advantage over other rapid retinal degeneration models. Unlike rodent alternatives, this NHP model enables researchers to evaluate preventive and interventional strategies under clinically relevant dosing paradigms, significantly enhancing the translational value of preclinical study results.
Central to NHP models for geographic atrophy drug development at Ace Therapeutics is a rigorously designed induction protocol, which uses cynomolgus monkeys as the primary NHP species. The model is established by exposing one eye of the animal to blue light from a 300 W xenon light source fitted with a 1.0 neutral density filter and a 470 nm blue light filter, with the contralateral eye serving as an internal control. Controlled radiant exposure parameters are optimized for reproducible outer retinal injury, with exposure times ranging from 5 to 30 minutes, and all animals undergo a 12-week follow-up period to track progressive outer retinal degeneration—mirroring the disease course of human GA.
Ace Therapeutics' blue light-induced retinal degeneration NHP model services extend beyond model induction to include a standardized, end-to-end protocol for testing the neuroprotective effects of candidate compounds, developed by Ace Therapeutics' experienced ophthalmic pharmacologists. The testing workflow includes acclimatization and controlled husbandry conditions, controlled retinal damage induction via constant light exposure and intravitreal injection of candidate compounds, with a focus on evaluating both cellular and neuroprotective efficacy as well as safety—critical for advancing lead compounds to clinical development.
Ace Therapeutics' experienced team of scientists and ophthalmic pharmacologists is available to provide customized support for researchers utilizing the model, including tailored study design and detailed data analysis. For more information about the company's NHP model services and ophthalmology research, global partners can contact Ace Therapeutics directly for detailed protocol information and collaboration inquiries.
About Ace Therapeutics
Ace Therapeutics is a leading preclinical contract research organization (CRO) based in New York, specializing in the development of customized disease models and preclinical research services across multiple therapeutic areas. Ace Therapeutics provides one-stop preclinical solutions including efficacy testing, pharmacokinetic analysis, toxicology studies and biomarker development for pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions and research organizations worldwide.
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