Several new treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) reached patients in the past three years, including the first-ever drugs to slow the dry form and longer-acting injections that cut treatment burden in half for the wet form. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in adults over 60, and research now focuses on extending injection intervals further, restoring lost vision, and preventing progression in the earliest stages.
What's actually going on in research
Three FDA approvals between 2022 and 2024 changed standard of care: faricimab (2022) and aflibercept 8 mg (2023) extended wet AMD injections to every 12 to 16 weeks, and avacincaptad pegol (2023) and pegcetacoplan (2023) became the first treatments to slow geographic atrophy. Gene therapy delivering continuous anti-VEGF production from a single treatment is now in late-stage trials. Sustained-release devices that refill medication automatically aim to push injection-free intervals to a year or more.
Complement inhibitors for dry AMD
Drugs targeting the complement immune cascade that destroys retinal tissue in geographic atrophy — such as pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol — slow the growth of central vision loss.
Longer-acting anti-VEGF injections
Faricimab (Vabysmo) and aflibercept 8 mg (Eylea HD) — both FDA-approved in 2022 and 2023 — let many wet AMD patients stretch injections from monthly to every 12 to 16 weeks. The TENAYA and PULSAR trials showed equal vision outcomes with about half the visit burden.
Gene therapy
Delivering anti-VEGF genes into retinal cells via viral vector injection aims to provide continuous drug production from a single treatment, eliminating the need for regular injections in wet AMD.
What to know before you search
Eligibility depends on AMD type (wet vs. dry/geographic atrophy), lesion size and location relative to the fovea, prior anti-VEGF treatment history, and visual acuity.
What types of trials are currently open
- Wet AMD treatment trials — Testing new anti-VEGF drugs, combinations, or delivery methods to reduce injection frequency while preserving vision.
- Dry AMD trials — Testing complement inhibitors and other agents to slow geographic atrophy progression.
- Gene therapy trials — Evaluating viral vector-based delivery of anti-VEGF or protective genes to the retina.
- Cell therapy trials — Testing retinal pigment epithelium cell transplantation for advanced dry AMD.
- Prevention trials — Testing nutritional supplements, lifestyle interventions, and early treatment in intermediate AMD.
Recently added Macular Degeneration trials
Ixoberogene Soroparvovec (Ixo-vec) Contralateral Dosing Study in Participants With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration
The purpose of this study is to evaluate safety, effectiveness and durability of a gene therapy called Ixo-vec (Ixoberogene soroparvovec) when administered to the contralateral (second) eye of adult participants (≥ 50 years of age) who have been diagnosed with bilateral neovascular (wet) age related macular degeneration (nAMD). The study will enroll adults with nAMD in both eyes, including participants who previously received Ixo-vec treatment in one (initial) eye and/or participants who will receive Ixo-vec treatment for the first time. This study focuses on how the treatment works when both eyes are treated at different times and how effective and long-lasting Ixo-vec treatment is in the second (contralateral) eye. Participants will receive a single administration of Ixo-vec in the contralateral eye and will be followed for approximately 5 years to evaluate safety, efficacy and durability of contralateral treatment. Secondary objectives include assessments that will evaluate clinical activity, including visual and anatomic outcomes, as well as the need for supplemental anti-VEGF therapy. The study is intended to provide additional information on the safety, tolerability, and use of Ixo-vec in bilateral treatment.
Phase 1 Study of C.001 in Retinal Degeneration
This is a first-in-human Phase 1 study evaluating the safety and tolerability of C.001 in patients with retinal diseases involving degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium. Participants will receive a single administration of C.001 delivered by subretinal injection. The study will evaluate three dose levels in a sequential manner. The primary objective is to assess the safety of C.001 over a 3-month period following administration. Participants will be followed for up to 12 months to further evaluate safety and explore changes in visual function and retinal structure.
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