Roger L. Novack

Phase ii, randomized, placebo-controlled, 90-day study of emixustat hydrochloride in geographic atrophy associated with dry age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: This study assessed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics of emixustat hydrochloride (ACU-4429), a novel visual cycle modulator, in subjects with geographic atrophy associated with dry age-related macular degeneration. Methods: Subjects were randomly assigned to oral emixustat (2, 5, 7, or 10 mg once daily) or placebo (3:1 ratio) for 90 days. Recovery of rod photoreceptor sensitivity after a photobleach was measured by electroretinography. Safety evaluations included analysis of adverse events and ophthalmic examinations. Results: Seventy-two subjects (54 emixustat and 18 placebo) were evaluated. Emixustat suppressed rod photoreceptor sensitivity in a dose-dependent manner. Suppression plateaued by Day 14 and was reversible within 7 days to 14 days after drug cessation. Most systemic adverse events were not considered treatment related. Dose-related ocular adverse events (chromatopsia, 57% emixustat vs. 17% placebo and delayed dark adaptation, 48% emixustat vs. 6% placebo) were mild to moderate in severity, and the majority resolved on study or within 7 days to 14 days after study drug cessation. Reversibility of these adverse events with long-term administration, however, is undetermined. Conclusion: In this Phase II study, emixustat produced a dose-dependent reversible effect on rod function that is consistent with the proposed mechanism of action. These results support further testing of emixustat for the treatment of geographic atrophy associated with dry age-related macular degeneration.

Safety of Intravitreal Ocriplasmin for Focal Vitreomacular Adhesion in Patients with Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration

PURPOSE The evaluation of the safety and preliminary efficacy of 125 μg ocriplasmin intravitreal injection in patients with focal vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) and exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN Randomized, sham-injection controlled, double-masked, multicenter, phase II trial. PARTICIPANTS A total of 100 patients with VMA and wet AMD were randomized 3:1 to receive 125 μg ocriplasmin intravitreal injection or sham injection. METHODS Study treatment was administered in the mid-vitreous cavity by injection. Post-treatment safety and efficacy assessments were made at baseline and on days 7, 14, and 28 and months 3, 6, and 12 after injection. Secondary efficacy end points were exploratory in nature. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The safety and tolerability of ocriplasmin were evaluated. The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of patients with VMA release at day 28 after injection. Secondary end points reported included VMA release over time, total posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), change in visual acuity from baseline, and number of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections. RESULTS The safety of ocriplasmin in patients with VMA and wet AMD was shown to be comparable to the known safety profile, with the majority of adverse events in the study eye occurring in the first 7 days after study treatment. A greater proportion of patients achieved VMA resolution and total PVD at month 12 with ocriplasmin compared with sham treatment. There was a decrease in the number of anti-VEGF injections with ocriplasmin at month 12 compared with the sham group, although no differences in visual acuity were observed. CONCLUSIONS Ocriplasmin treatment in this population seems to be generally safe and well tolerated and resulted in more patients achieving VMA resolution and PVD with less anti-VEGF use compared with sham treatment.