About 11 million people in the U.S. have age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which leads to vision loss and eventual blindness. This number is expected to double by 2050, making effective treatments an ongoing research priority. Of the many clinical trials currently in progress, four treatments show particular promise for approval this year. 

Regenxbio’s RGX-314

The RGX-314 uses recombinant DNA to inhibit blood vessel growth in patients with “wet” age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). Wet AMD is an advanced form of the disease in which abnormal blood vessels grow in the eye then leak below the macula (the center part of the retina). As of December 31, 2020, trials reported that RGX-314 participants tolerated the treatment well, without inflammation.

Roche’s Faricimab

In trials, the injectable eye medication faricimab, also intended to treat wAMD, was administered to participants at 12- and 16-week intervals, and its effectiveness was compared with that of the drug ranibizumab (brand name Lucentis®), which was administered at four-week intervals. As of January 2021, participants receiving faricimab every 16 weeks achieved visual acuity comparable to that from Regeneron’s aflibercept (brand name Eylea®) every eight weeks. 

Genentech’s Port Delivery System (PDS)

The PDS is a permanent eye implant that continuously releases a modified form of ranibizumab to treat wAMD. About the size of a grain of rice, the PDS would only need to be filled twice a year at your doctor’s office. 

Apellis’s APL-2

APL-2 injections have been known to significantly slow the progression of dry age-related macular degeneration (atrophic AMD) since Apellis’ 2017 phase 1 trials. Dry AMD occurs when the macula grows thin and dries out, worsening over a period of years. In October 2020, APL-2 phase 2 trials revealed that monthly treatments reduced the rate of geographic atrophy progression by 39%.  

*Prevent Blindness. (2021, May 16). New AMD Treatments Coming Soon. https://lowvision.preventblindness.org/2021/05/16/new-amd-treatments-coming-soon/