Dry Macular Degeneration Treatment - Zimura
Exciting news this Month is that a new drug is applying to FDA Approval for licence for the
treatment of geographic atrophy a common form of Dry Macular Degeneration. It is called Acacincaptad Pegol - "Zimura" and is a compliment inhibitor.
Geographic Atrophy is a common condition that occurs after many years of having Drusen present in the macular of the eye. These waste
products of drusen collect and then at some point are absorbed by the body leaving a dry patch of atrophic area of retina. These thin areas start
as a tiny spot where the drusen was, but over the next 10 years slowly grow year by year in size, taking away gradually the central vision.
Ultimately it can affect the vision quite markedly.
Complement has been thought for a long time to be an important part and inhibitors of the compliment pathway have been shown to
slow the progression of Geographic atrophy. In the trails by over 27%. There was a previous drug that sadly was not sufficiently effective to reach the market place. However this drugs trials have show significant benefit and is applying for a commercial licence in America. It is expected to apply for a European licence in due course.
This drug is already used for night time Haematuria ( blood in the urine).
It is given in the same way that the current anti-vegf drugs are give - ie by intravitreal injection. It is likely that these have to be given monthly or ever other month.
This is exciting times in Medical retina as other treatments are close to applying for licences for treatment.
Mr Lee likes to keep himself and his patients updated on developments.