Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatments have been demonstrated to successfully prevent vision loss in those suffering from wet age-related macular degeneration; however, they can increase intraocular pressure – something optometrists managing these patients with glaucoma should keep in mind.

Sodhi’s team found that those able to enter a treatment pause enjoyed greater improvement and lower fluid accumulation when compared with those continuing monthly injections.

ABBV-RGX-314

Gene therapy has shown promise in treating macular edema caused by retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, specifically targeting macular edema caused by RVO and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. The treatment, known as ABBV-RGX-314, is administered via suprachoroidal injection and targets the space between the sclera and the choroid behind each eye; researchers are currently testing its effectiveness through phase 2 AAVIATE trial evaluation process.

Current treatments for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) focus on targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which plays a central role in creating abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid into the macula. There are a few anti-VEGF medications available, including Regeneron’s Eylea and Genentech’s Lucentis; they have proven successful with many patients but require multiple intravitreal injections every month to remain effective; unfortunately these frequent injections can cause pain, inflammation and bleeding within eyesights causing discomfort as well.

Regeneron and AbbVie’s Ixo-vec treatment has been approved for treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. Ixo-vec is an AAV delivery system which uses an antibody fragment neutralizing VEGF and blocking its signaling to promote new blood vessel growth, creating new vessels over time. Although its cost can be prohibitive, Ixo-vec should prove to be a game-changer in treating wet AMD.

RGX-314 gene therapy has also shown promise in the ALTITUDE study, which followed 42 patients for two years after a single subretinal injection. Researchers observed that most had either stabilized or improved best corrected visual acuity while decreasing rescue medication use. Abbey noted these results were in line with findings of previous trials.

ABBV-RGX-314 is a monoclonal antibody that targets VEGF and its receptors. Injected using an Adeno-associated virus vector into the suprachoroidal space in the back of the eye, this molecule binds to VEGF-R3 to block its action while simultaneously activating production of protein that changes how new blood vessels form – helping to reduce macular edema while improving vision; three out of six patients in our longest follow-up cohort did not require rescue medication at six months whereas nine others showed only mild amounts of macular edema with nine still having only slight amounts at six months compared with their previous baselines.

ABBV-RGX-315

Gene therapy ABBV-RGX-314 could provide hope to people suffering from wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). This condition is characterized by new leaky blood vessels developing within the retina, eventually leading to vision loss and blindness – it is the leading cause in North America, Europe and Japan. Current therapies for wet AMD focus on blocking new vessel growth by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); medications may be given via intravitreal injections which must be repeated regularly over time.

Recent research demonstrated that subretinal injection of RGX-314 could effectively treat wet AMD and reduce the need for anti-VEGF medications, with patients receiving this therapy experiencing significantly improved vision as well as stable retinal thickness and best corrected visual acuity. Researchers examined two formulations of the drug developed by RegenXBio and AbbVie: one produced through traditional manufacturing while the other utilized an advanced bioreactor system.

REGENXBIO Inc. recently presented promising interim results from its phase 2 AAVIATE trial of its groundbreaking gene therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration, AAVIATE. The therapy uses an adeno-associated viral vector to deliver a monoclonal antibody neutralizing VEGF that alters new blood vessel formation pathways, with significant improvements expected both visually and with reduced injection frequency.

In the phase 2 AAVIATE trial, an intravitreal injection of ABBV-RGX-314 reduced central retinal thickness and stabilized best corrected visual acuity among wet AMD patients, as well as preventing progression of disease progression and vision-threatening events. Furthermore, its safety profile was comparable with other intravitreal treatments with no serious drug-related adverse events reported during or post trial period.

Regeneron and Genentech currently offer anti-VEGF injections, along with Novartis’ bevacizumab as approved treatments for wet AMD. All three medications work by targeting VEGF molecules which promote blood vessel formation in the eye leading to fluid accumulation; all require regular injections in order to remain effective.

ABBV-RGX-321

ABBV-RGX-314, an potentially one-time gene therapy administered via suprachoroidal injection, showed promising interim data from its Phase II AAVIATE trial. The gene therapy could revolutionize wet age-related macular degeneration treatment by offering a long-term solution instead of regular injections of ranibizumab and other drugs, and may also treat other chronic retinal diseases and disorders. REGENXBIO has collaborated with AbbVie on this innovative therapy while Oyster Point Pharma collaborated with Adaptive Phage Therapeutics on their PhageBank technology platform.

ABBV-RGX-322

ABBV-RGX-314 is an experimental gene therapy designed to reduce blood vessel growth and fluid buildup in retinal macula. Additionally, it reduces vision loss while improving best-corrected visual acuity – all using one subretinal injection treatment. Currently being evaluated in ALTITUDE trial; six month data has shown it reduced central subfield thickness while improving or stabilizing best corrected visual acuity or leading to stable BCVVA; dose escalation cohort data showed it also prevented disease progression as well as vision-threatening events occurring over time.

ABBV-RGX-314 is an inovative one-time treatment consisting of an AAV vector carrying a gene encoding for monoclonal antibody fragment. When expressed, this gene neutralizes VEGF while altering pathways leading to blood vessel formation – helping treat macular edema and retinal vein occlusion caused by diabetes or other chronic retinal conditions.

Regeneron offers Eylea (aflibercept), Novartis’ Beovu (brolucizumab), and Genentech’s Lucentis (ranibizumab) are among several anti-VEGF treatments that may be prescribed to patients suffering from wet AMD, with several being approved off-label as treatment for wet DR as well. All three drugs require intravitreal injections while ABBV-RGX-314 only needs one single shot injection.

This approach is appealing because it does not require repeated injections and targets a genetic mutation within the retina – potentially making it more effective than standard care in treating wet AMD. A phase 2 pharmacodynamic, open-label study began last year to test two formulations of RGX-314: one from clinical manufacturing processes while the other can be found within bioreactor processes that would be found in commercial products.

Oyster Point Pharma has formed various strategic alliances in order to accelerate the development of eye therapies. In June 2021, Oyster Point Pharma signed a licensing agreement with Adaptive Phage Therapeutics (APT), a clinical-stage company focused on producing novel phage-based vaccines and products. Through this deal, Oyster Point will leverage APT’s PhageBank technology in the discovery of multiple ophthalmic targets; APT’s Phage platform has shown promise against diseases including dry eye syndrome.