Neovascular or wet age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a degenerative ocular disease associated with the infiltration of abnormal blood vessels in the retina from the underlying choroid layer and is a leading cause of blindness in patients over 65 years of age. The abnormal angiogenic process in nAMD is stimulated and modulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Treatment of nAMD requires frequent intravitreal (IVT) injections of VEGF inhibitors (anti-VEGF) administered every 4-16 weeks. ADVM-022 (AAV.7m8-aflibercept) is a gene therapy product being developed for the treatment of nAMD and offers the potential for sustained intraocular expression of aflibercept following a single IVT injection. ADVM-022 is designed to reduce the current treatment burden which often results in undertreatment and vision loss in patients with nAMD receiving anti-VEGF therapy in clinical practice.
Phase 2 trials begin testing efficacy in a larger patient group (100–300). This is often where biotech binary events occur — positive Phase 2 data can significantly advance a company's pipeline narrative, while failures can be terminal for a program.
Enrollment is complete. The trial is in its follow-up or data collection phase — a readout may occur on or near the primary completion date.
Adverum Biotechnologies (ADVM) is the sponsoring company for this trial. BiotechSign currently grades this company C (59/100) based on composite catalyst signals across its full pipeline. This trial is one data point in that overall catalyst picture.