Recent advancements in treatment of age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains a leading cause of vision loss globally, with significant advancements in treatment options for both dry and wet AMD. As highlighted by Huang and colleagues, "Current therapies for dry AMD have limited effectiveness in halting the progression of geographic atrophy (GA), underscoring the need for innovative approaches".

One of the most notable breakthroughs is the FDA approval of pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol, targeting the complement system to slow GA progression. Pegcetacoplan, a C3 inhibitor, reduced GA lesion growth by 19–22% in clinical trials, while avacincaptad pegol, a C5 inhibitor, showed a 35% reduction. These therapies address the inflammatory component of AMD, offering hope for a condition previously deemed untreatable.

For wet AMD, anti-VEGF therapies continue to dominate, but newer options like faricimab—a bispecific antibody targeting VEGF and angiopoietin-2—stand out. Faricimab allows extended dosing intervals (up to 16 weeks), reducing the burden of frequent injections. As Gao et al. note, "Combining complement inhibition with anti-VEGF therapy holds significant potential," exemplified by IBI302, a dual-targeting drug currently in Phase III trials.