Lowy Medical Research Institute

The Lowy Medical Research Institute (LMRI) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of Macular Telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel), a rare degenerative eye disease. LMRI spearheads the MacTel Project, an international multi-disciplinary research collaboration involving clinicians, scientists, and geneticists. The institute's primary clinical focus is the development of NT-501 (Renexus), an encapsulated cell therapy that delivers ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) to the retina. LMRI supports a broad range of research, including clinical trials, genetic studies, and laboratory-based investigations into retinal metabolism and biology. By coordinating global research efforts, LMRI aims to identify the underlying causes of MacTel and develop effective therapeutic interventions.