Opthea Limited (ASX: $OPT) has announced the publication of a scientific review in the peer-reviewed journal Ophthalmology and Therapy, highlighting the potential of VEGF-C and VEGF-D signaling pathways as targets for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). The review supports the scientific rationale for sozinibercept (OPT-302) as a potential treatment for wet AMD, emphasizing the broader pathophysiology of retinal diseases beyond VEGF-A regulation.
Frederic Guerard, PharmD, Chief Executive Officer of Opthea, stated, 'This review underpins sozinibercept's potential as a novel, first-in-class VEGF-C/D 'trap' to prevent blood vessel growth and vascular leakage in the retina and deliver superior visual outcomes in wet AMD patients when combined with standard-of-care anti-VEGF-A therapies.' He further mentioned the company's fully enrolled sozinibercept Phase 3 clinical program in wet AMD, designed to assess the safety and superior efficacy of sozinibercept in combination with standard-of-care anti-VEGF-A therapies compared to standard-of-care alone, with expectations to report topline data for the COAST trial in early Q2 and for the ShORe trial in mid CY 2025.
Opthea's publication on VEGF-C and VEGF-D signaling pathways as potential targets for wet AMD treatment marks a significant scientific advancement in understanding the pathogenesis of retinal diseases. The review emphasizes the importance of targeting additional mechanisms beyond VEGF-A and highlights the role of VEGF-C and VEGF-D signaling in addressing the unmet needs of wet AMD patients for better visual outcomes. With the ongoing Phase 3 clinical program and positive results from the Phase 2b trial, Opthea aims to address the significant unmet medical need in wet AMD and deliver superior vision gains compared to standard-of-care anti-VEGF-A agents. The company's ambitions include enabling sozinibercept to be approved for use in combination with any anti-VEGF-A therapy in wet AMD patients, potentially revolutionizing the treatment landscape for this prevalent and progressive retinal disease.