AMD eye drop enters Phase II

CoMentis (formerly Athenagen) has initiated a Phase II trial of ATG3, a topical eye drop therapy for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

ATG3 is a proprietary ophthalmic formulation of mecamylamine, an antagonist of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor pathway that mediates angiogenesis.

The Phase II study will enrol 330 subjects to be randomized into one of three treatment groups: two different doses of ATG3 administered twice daily, or placebo. All subjects will be monitored over a 48-week period to assess the drug's safety, tolerability and efficacy.

During the Phase I trial, the drug demonstrated good ocular tolerability in 80 subjects and confirmed that systemic exposure following eyedrop administration is minimal, with no systemic side effects. Furthermore, studies in animal models have shown good penetration of the formulation to the retina and choroids, as well as a reduction of new blood vessel growth in the eye.