DUNFERMLINE-BASED Optos, which manufactures ‘ultra-widefield’ technology for imaging the retina, has announced that it has joined forces with Amydis Inc to develop an eye test that will provide a much-needed early detection for Alzheimer’s disease.

Amydis has developed a pipeline of compounds to detect amyloid proteins in the retina to be visualised with Optos’ market leading optomap® ultra-widefield retinal imaging devices to diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease in patients.  

Through this alliance, Optos and Amydis will collaborate on the clinical development of Amydis’ test for the detection of Alzheimer’s disease.

The partnership will combine Optos’ market leadership with its proprietary ultra-widefield technology and strong commercial presence among eyecare specialists, with Amydis’ first in class, proprietary compounds to expand Optos’ market opportunity into the field of neurodegeneration. 

These compounds bind to specific biomarkers in the retina and fluoresce making them visible with an optomap® retinal camera. 

Together, Optos and Amydis will work to provide an innovative medical solution to assist physicians and pharmaceutical companies discovering therapeutic interventions and address the large unmet clinical need for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s patients.

Robert Kennedy, chief executive officer, Optos, said: “We are proud of the ongoing use of optomap imaging devices in clinical research to visualise biomarkers in the retina associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. 

"This clinical collaboration with Amydis supports Optos’ vision to help physicians diagnose and monitor disease by studying the retina. 

"We are pleased to work with Amydis in this important alliance and the benefit it may bring to patients suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.”

Stella Sarraf, PhD, chief executive officer of Amydis, commented: “We are very excited with the opportunity to use our targeted fluorescent probe technology with Optos’ ultra-widefield retinal cameras to develop a simple screening test to diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease.”