“POT-4” (Potentia Pharmaceuticals) a C3 complement inhibitor may be effective against both forms of macular degeneration.  The announcement was made at the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and American Academy of Ophthalmology in Nusa Dua, Indonesia.  Results of the phase I trials were positive.

While complement activation has been implicated with chronic inflammatory conditions, tissue damage, glaucoma, uveitis, spinal cord injury, trauma, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and pulmonary disease, it may also play a vital role in the pathogenesis of  exudative AMD, and perhaps, non-exudative AMD.

The results of the phase I trials showed a favorable safety profile.  Although phase I trials are designed for safety, not efficacy, initial results did show some clinical efficacy in that some patients did improve clinically and the vision stablized.

If successful, POT-4 would be delivered locally as an intravitreal injection.

Randall V. Wong, M.D.
www.RetinaEyeDoctor.com ^[1]