Clinical Research Directory

Therapeutic Prospects of Faricimab Injection for Patients Affected by Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) is one of the main causes of irreversible vision loss in the elderly, characterized by neovascularization and vascular leakage in the macular area, ultimately leading to damage to retinal structure and visual impairment. At present, anti vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is the main approach for treating nAMD, including VEGF inhibitors such as Aflibercept and Conbercept. However, some patients show decreased treatment tolerance or efficacy after long-term use of these drugs . Faricimab, a bispecific antibody that targets both VEGF and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), is expected to provide a new treatment option for patients resistant to existing VEGF therapies due to its unique dual mechanism of action The aim of this study is to explore the treatment response rate and prognosis of farnesyl monoclonal antibody in patients with refractory nAMD, including visual improvement and imaging changes, in order to provide more scientific treatment decision-making basis for clinical practice. At the same time, to determine its efficacy and safety in actual clinical treatment, in order to provide more flexible and personalized treatment options for nAMD patients, reduce their treatment burden, improve treatment compliance and quality of life.

CRISPR/cas13-medIated RNA TarGeting THerapy for the Treatment of Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration Investigator-initiated Trial (SIGHT-I)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive disease leading to severe and irreversible vision loss of which the neovascular AMD (nAMD) accounted for 90% blindness in AMD. nAMD is primarily driven by the perturbation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF overexpression leads to abnormal growth of choroidal neovascularization (CNV), which is a hallmark of AMD. Although anti-VEGF agents are effective in treating nAMD, long-term efficacy decreases over time due to the need for repeated injections impacting patient compliance with treatment regimen while patients still may lose vision during the 7th or 8th year of treatment. These frequent intravitreal injections can increase the risk of complications, including submacular hemorrhage, intraocular hypertension, inflammation, and retinal detachment. Furthermore, there are up to 46% of nAMD patients using anti-VEGF agents who have shown poor response or have developed tachyphylaxis with anti-VEGF therapies. HG202 is a CRISPR/Cas13 RNA-editing therapy packaging novel high-fidelity Cas13 technology using one single AAV vector to partially knock-down the expression of VEGFA and thus inhibit CNV formation in AMD patients who are either responsive or non-responsive to anti-VEGF agents. The long-term, stable delivery of HG202 following a one (1) time gene-editing therapy treatment for nAMD could potentially reduce the frequent injection treatment burden of currently available therapies AND treat nAMD patients who are non-responsive to anti-VEGF therapies and have no treatment.