NEW YORK, NY, USA I January 27, 2016 I Ophthotech Corporation (Nasdaq:OPHT) announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 2/3 clinical study of Zimura® (avacincaptad pegol sodium), an inhibitor of complement factor C5, in patients with geographic atrophy, an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Complement factor C5 is a central component of the complement cascade believed to be involved in the development of AMD. The Phase 2/3 randomized, double-masked, controlled trial is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Zimura® monotherapy in patients with geographic atrophy. The Company has also recently announced the initiation of a Phase 2 study of Zimura® in combination with anti-VEGF therapy in wet AMD patients to potentially reduce the treatment burden.
“Dry age-related macular degeneration continues to be a significant unmet medical need globally with no approved treatment options available to patients,” said David R. Guyer, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Ophthotech. “Multiple published studies suggest that the complement pathway has a central role in dry AMD. We plan to explore the potential of Zimura® as a treatment for geographic atrophy. In addition, the emerging strength of science from published independent genetic variation studies relating to the role of complement inhibition in wet AMD along with our earlier Zimura® study results in wet AMD are encouraging. We are therefore pleased to have recently announced the initiation of a wet AMD treatment burden reduction study of Zimura® combination therapy. These are important milestones for Ophthotech as our effort to develop therapies to treat underserved populations in all forms of AMD continues to advance.”
About Ophthotech Corporation
Ophthotech is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of novel therapeutics to treat back of the eye diseases, with a focus on developing innovative therapies for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Ophthotech’s most advanced product candidate, Fovista® anti-PDGF therapy, is in Phase 3 clinical trials for use in combination with anti-VEGF therapy that represents the current standard of care for the treatment of wet AMD. Ophthotech’s second product candidate, Zimura®, an inhibitor of complement factor C5, is being developed for the treatment of geographic atrophy, a form of dry AMD, and in combination with anti-VEGF therapy in wet AMD patients to potentially reduce the treatment burden. For more information, please visit www.ophthotech.com.
SOURCE: Ophthotech
Post Views: 106
NEW YORK, NY, USA I January 27, 2016 I Ophthotech Corporation (Nasdaq:OPHT) announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 2/3 clinical study of Zimura® (avacincaptad pegol sodium), an inhibitor of complement factor C5, in patients with geographic atrophy, an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Complement factor C5 is a central component of the complement cascade believed to be involved in the development of AMD. The Phase 2/3 randomized, double-masked, controlled trial is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Zimura® monotherapy in patients with geographic atrophy. The Company has also recently announced the initiation of a Phase 2 study of Zimura® in combination with anti-VEGF therapy in wet AMD patients to potentially reduce the treatment burden.
“Dry age-related macular degeneration continues to be a significant unmet medical need globally with no approved treatment options available to patients,” said David R. Guyer, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Ophthotech. “Multiple published studies suggest that the complement pathway has a central role in dry AMD. We plan to explore the potential of Zimura® as a treatment for geographic atrophy. In addition, the emerging strength of science from published independent genetic variation studies relating to the role of complement inhibition in wet AMD along with our earlier Zimura® study results in wet AMD are encouraging. We are therefore pleased to have recently announced the initiation of a wet AMD treatment burden reduction study of Zimura® combination therapy. These are important milestones for Ophthotech as our effort to develop therapies to treat underserved populations in all forms of AMD continues to advance.”
About Ophthotech Corporation
Ophthotech is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of novel therapeutics to treat back of the eye diseases, with a focus on developing innovative therapies for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Ophthotech’s most advanced product candidate, Fovista® anti-PDGF therapy, is in Phase 3 clinical trials for use in combination with anti-VEGF therapy that represents the current standard of care for the treatment of wet AMD. Ophthotech’s second product candidate, Zimura®, an inhibitor of complement factor C5, is being developed for the treatment of geographic atrophy, a form of dry AMD, and in combination with anti-VEGF therapy in wet AMD patients to potentially reduce the treatment burden. For more information, please visit www.ophthotech.com.
SOURCE: Ophthotech
Post Views: 106
