Stargardt Disease Webinar | Research & Treatment Developments – April 25, 2026

This webinar featured Dr. Carlos Quezada-Ruiz, Chief Medical Officer at Alkeus Pharmaceuticals, who presented on Stargardt disease research and treatment developments. Dr. Quezada-Ruiz provided an overview of the disease mechanism, current management approaches, and the promising pipeline of treatments in development, including Alkeus' investigational oral medication gilded retinol. He explained the company's Phase 3 Northstar trial, which aims to enroll 230 patients with advanced Stargardt disease to evaluate the annual rate of growth of atrophic lesions and potential functional benefits. The discussion covered clinical trial participation considerations, regulatory pathways, and the scientific and logistical challenges in developing effective treatments for rare retinal diseases. Dr. Quezada-Ruiz expressed optimism about the future of Stargardt research, emphasizing the hope that current developments bring to patients and the importance of collaboration across the medical community.