Ranibizumab port delivery system for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration

Ranibizumab port delivery system (PDS) is in clinical development for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). nAMD or wet age‐related macular degeneration is a chronic eye disease characterised by the formation and proliferation of blood vessels in the centre of the retina (a layer of tissue in the back of the eye that senses light and sends images to the brain). nAMD is a leading cause of central sight loss and blindness. nAMD is linked to smoking, being overweight and high blood pressure amongst other risk factors. Symptoms include blurred vision, objects looking smaller, hallucinations and straight lines look crooked. Current treatment options include anti‐VEGF‐A therapies which are the current standard of care. This treatment would offer an alternative administration route for the already licensed ranibizumab. Frequent injections are a burden to patients; PDS would reduce this.
Ranibizumab is a type of antibody that is targeted against a particular protein. Ranibizumab has been designed to attach to and block a substance called vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). VEGF-A is a protein that makes blood vessels grow and leak fluid and blood, damaging the macula (the central part of the retina). By blocking VEGF-A, ranibizumab reduces the growth of the blood vessels and controls the leakage and swelling. The port delivery system (PDS) will include a device which is permanently surgically implanted in the eye and filled with a special formulation of ranibizumab; this will reduce the amount of hospital visits required and reduce the burden of repeat intravitreal injections. If licensed, this technology will provide an additional treatment option for patients with nAMD.