Pegcetacoplan for treating geographic atrophy

Pegcetacoplan is in clinical development for the treatment of geographic atrophy of the macula, secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is an eye disease that most commonly occurs in people aged over 70 years that affects the middle part of the vision. Some patients with AMD will develop geographic atrophy, which is an advanced form of AMD, where cells located in certain regions of the retina waste away leading to blind spots in the visual field. The disease is progressive and irreversible and as visual function declines, difficulties in reading and mobility can occur. Geographic atrophy results in a significant decline in patient quality of life and accounts for 26% of legal blindness in the UK. There is a significant need in this patient group as currently there are no treatment options available that can stop or reverse progression of the disease.