Athenagen begins testing eye drop therapy in humans

ATG003 is a proprietary topical formulation of mecamylamine that has shown efficacy in animal models and is a possible alternative to current therapies for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which require frequent needle injections directly in the eye.

The novel anti-angiogenic agent inhibits endothelial nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptors and has been shown to decrease angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth) as well as vascular permeability, two well-known hallmarks of neovascular AMD.

Athenagen’s study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, ascending dose clinical trial designed to evaluate ocular tolerability and safety for up to 14 days. The study represents the first human study of an eye drop anti-angiogenic therapy for AMD, and a phase II efficacy study is expected to follow early next year.

“Given the prevalence of AMD and the invasive nature of current treatments, a topical non-invasive eye drop for treating this disease would be a welcome addition to our clinical arsenal,” commented Dr Michael Marmor, professor of ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine.