- Initial Top-line Data Expected by the End of 2018 -
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2018--
Ophthotech Corporation (NASDAQ: OPHT) today announced the completion of
patient enrollment in its Phase 2a clinical trial of Zimura®
(avacincaptad pegol), the Company’s complement factor C5 inhibitor, in
patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Zimura is
administered in combination with Lucentis® (ranibizumab), an
anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agent, in treatment
naïve patients with wet AMD. A total of 64 patients have been enrolled
into this dose-ranging, open-label, multi-center trial. This
uncontrolled trial is designed to assess safety at different dosages and
to detect a potential efficacy signal. The Company will evaluate data at
month 6 and expects initial top-line data to become available before the
end of 2018.
“We are pleased with the enthusiasm shown by the principal investigators
in the recruitment for this clinical trial leading to on time enrollment
of patients,” stated Kourous Rezaei, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of
Ophthotech. “Following the completion of this trial, clinical data will
be analyzed to assess whether to proceed to a randomized, sham
controlled clinical trial of Zimura combination therapy in wet AMD.”
Zimura is also currently being investigated as monotherapy in a Phase 2b
clinical trial for patients with geographic atrophy secondary to dry AMD
and in a Phase 2b clinical trial in patients with autosomal recessive
Stargardt disease (STGD1). Further, Zimura is being evaluated as
combination therapy with Eylea® (aflibercept), an anti-VEGF
agent, in patients with idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy
(IPCV).
About Zimura in Wet AMD
Zimura is designed to target and inhibit the complement protein C5.
Zimura binds to and inhibits C5 from being cleaved into C5a and C5b,
potentially preventing the formation of inflammasomes and the
accumulation of membrane attack complex (MAC), preventing cell death.
Further, when used in combination with anti-VEGF therapy, Zimura may
counteract the anti-VEGF induced complement upregulation, thereby
providing the rationale as a potential combination therapy for patients
with wet AMD and IPCV.
About Ophthotech Corporation
Ophthotech is a science-driven biopharmaceutical company specializing in
the development of novel therapies to treat ophthalmic diseases, with a
focus on age-related and orphan retinal diseases. For more information,
please visit www.ophthotech.com.
Forward-looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about Ophthotech’s future
expectations, plans and prospects constitute forward-looking statements
for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include any
statements about Ophthotech’s strategy, future operations and future
expectations and plans and prospects for Ophthotech, and any other
statements containing the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,”
“expect,” “intend”, “goal,” “may”, “might,” “plan,” “predict,”
“project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,”
“continue,” and similar expressions. In this press release, Ophthotech’s
forward-looking statements include statements about the implementation
of its strategic plan, the timing, progress and results of clinical
trials and other research and development activities. Such
forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties
that could cause Ophthotech’s clinical development programs, future
results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and
uncertainties include, among others, those related to the initiation and
the conduct and design of research programs and clinical trials,
availability of data from these programs, other factors discussed in the
“Risk Factors” section contained in the quarterly and annual reports
that Ophthotech files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any
forward-looking statements represent Ophthotech’s views only as of the
date of this press release. Ophthotech anticipates that subsequent
events and developments will cause its views to change. While Ophthotech
may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in
the future, Ophthotech specifically disclaims any obligation to do so
except as required by law.
OPHT-G
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Source: Ophthotech Corporation
Investors
Ophthotech Corporation
Kathy Galante
Vice
President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
212-845-8231
kathy.galante@ophthotech.com
or
Media
SmithSolve
LLC on behalf of Ophthotech Corporation
Alex Van Rees,
973-442-1555 ext. 111
alex.vanrees@smithsolve.com