Interest in complement inhibition gains momentum

Interest in complement factor inhibition in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) continues to gain momentum with two developers making separate announcements on progress with their AMD therapy hopefuls.

Potentia Pharmaceuticals' candidate, POT-4, is the first complement inhibitor to be tested in humans. It is designed to reduce inflammation and modify the upregulation of factors influencing angiogenesis by binding to complement component C3. Early safety results from the Phase I trial have so far been positive. POT-4 potentially has application against both wet and dry AMD. The latest data from the Phase I ASaP of POT-4 are due to be announced during the Retina Subspecialty Day, on November 7, at this year's meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

In a separate announcement, Ophthotech Corp. has now begun enrolment in the Phase I trial of its drug candidate ARC1905, an anti-C5 complement aptamer that also incorporates anti-VEGF properties. ARC1905 is undergoing safety and tolerability testing, and is also intended for the treatment of both wet and dry AMD.