IVERIC bio, Inc developed avacincaptad pegol to treat geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
Avacincaptad pegol (ACP, also known as Zimura®), a novel investigational complement C5 inhibitorhave shown positive results from the 12-month pre-specified primary endpoint data in the GATHER1 and GATHER2 pivotal clinical trials.In aging adults age-related macular degeneration (AMD) gives rise to moderate to severe loss of central vision, affecting both eyes in the majority of patients.
The macula consists of a small area present in the central portion of the retina is responsible for central vision.As AMD continues to grow, the loss of retinal cells and the underlying blood vessels in the macula results in marked thinning and/or atrophy of retinal tissue. Geographic atrophy, being the major stage of AMD, further leads to irreversible loss of vision in these patients.
ACP, a novel complement C5 protein inhibitor. Excessive activity of the complement system and the C5 protein play animportant role in the development of scarring and vision loss associated with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). ACP can target C5 protein and this targeting decreasesthe activity of the complement system which causes the degeneration of retinal cells and potentially slow the progression of GA.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants breakthrough device designation for Avacincaptad Pegol for Geographic Atrophy.
