Alcon drops AMD candidate

Following disappointing clinical trial results, Alcon has discontinued its plans to develop anecortave acetate for the prevention of choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

At the 24-month time point, the compound, which was tested in 2546 patients, had failed to achieve both primary and secondary endpoints, causing Alcon to discontinue four separate studies that were being conducted in the US and Asia.

Although Alcon will no longer study the efficacy of anecortave acetate in the treatment of AMD, the company plans to continue its study of the compound as an anterior juxtascleral depot for the reduction of intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma.