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Anti-angiogenic drug shows early promise as AMD treatment

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PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. — A systemically administered anti-angiogenic drug has preserved or improved vision in a small study of patients with age-related macular degeneration.

The phase 1 and 2 trial of squalamine showed 97% of patients had preserved or improved vision 2 months after initiation of therapy, according to a news release from Genaera, the drug’s developer. Dosing was 4 weekly doses of squalamine with no further maintenance therapy. Follow-up was at 2 and 4 months.

In the small trial, 13 patients (33%) had at least a three-line improvement in visual acuity. Multiple lesions were notably smaller through the end of therapy, including classic and occult angiographic subtypes. Blood vessel leakage was significantly less than before squalamine administration, according to Genaera.