Therapy Analysis - AMD
Vision for the future
Perhaps attracted by an unmet medical need and an increasing number of cases of AMD in an aging western population, several RNAi drugs are in development. In fact, of the five clinical RNAi compounds on Pharmaprojects, three list AMD as their primary indication. Merck & Co and Silence Therapeutics both have siRNA therapies in Phase II and Phase I/IIa trials for AMD, respectively. Pharmaprojects also holds data on a number of other non-siRNA compounds, including Pfizer’s PF-4523655, CoMentis’ topical formulation of mecamylamine and Fovea Pharmaceuticals’ FOV-RD-27.
While recently approved drugs have raised the bar in terms of the treatment available to AMD patients and a surge in development has ensured that the future looks bright, we shouldn’t become complacent. Until the underlying causes of the disease are better understood a cure will remain elusive. With the limited ability of current treatments to only delay the progression of the disease, the catastrophic loss of sight associated with ageing remains a harsh reality for many. It can only be hoped that the recent emergence of therapies that can cause slight improvements in visual function may spark avenues for future regenerative therapy.
Patrick Newton
Pharmaprojects Analyst
AMD Image courtesy of The National Eye Institute.
