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Disease
Macular Degeneration
Late-stage therapeutic developmentEmerging researchRising momentum
13
Publications
24
Clinical trials
7
Related conditions
12
Associated genes
8
Related proteins
2024
Latest publication
Current focus
Complement c3 biologyComplement c5 biologyTherapeutic developmentInflammation & immunityMetabolic & lifestyle factorsDisease mechanisms & pathology
Latest activity
betaRecent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this disease.
Clinical trial2026-08-17Status changed to Active, not recruiting · ClinicalTrials.gov
Clinical trial2026-07-16Status changed to Completed · ClinicalTrials.gov
Research2024-07-04International journal of molecular sciences
Regulatory T cells limit age-associated retinal inflammation and neurodegeneration.
Research2024-04-05Molecular neurodegeneration
Gut microbiota and eye diseases: a bibliometric study and visualization analysis.
Research2023-08-09Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology
What's happening now
An analyst briefing on current research, clinical, regulatory and industry activity surrounding this disease.
Executive briefingUpdating summary…Momentum: Moderate
Key developments
- 1 regulatory approval from EMA on record.
- 6 clinical trials expected to report results, the earliest in Q4 2027.
- 7 industry developments reported.
Upcoming Milestones
- Q4 2027A Multi-center, Randomized, Double-masked, Active-comparator-controlled, Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Ixoberogene Soroparvovec (Ixo-vec) in Participants With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (AQUARIUS)
- Q4 2027A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study of the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Subcutaneously Administered Pozelimab in Combination With Cemdisiran or Cemdisiran Alone in Participants With Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- Q1 2028A Phase III, Randomized, Open-Label, Active-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Subretinal Injection of LX102 in Participants With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration - The STELLAR Trial
- Q4 2028Efficacy of Faricimab in Patients With Subretinal Hyperreflective Material Associated With Type 2 or Mixed Neovascular Membranes Assessed by Multimodal Imaging
- Q4 2028Vitrectomy, Subretinal Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Intravitreal Gas for Submacular Haemorrhage Secondary to Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration (TIGER): a Phase 3, Pan-European, Two-group, Observer-masked, Superiority, Randomised Controlled Surgical Trial.
Major developments
Important regulatory approvalHigh impact
Vislyfa is indicated in adults for: The treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) The treatment of visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DME) The treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) The treatment of visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (branch RVO or central RVO) The treatment of visual impairment due to choroidal neovascularisation (CNV)2026-07-15
Upcoming trial readoutHigh impact
Results expected Q1 20332026-08-14
Upcoming trial readoutHigh impact
Results expected Q4 20272026-07-15
Clinical MilestonesView all 9Hide
Results expected
- 2026-08-14A Randomized, Controlled, Partially Masked, Phase 3b Study to Assess the Injection Burden, Efficacy, Safety, and Long-Term Preservation of Visual Acuity of Surabgene Lomparvovec (ABBV-RGX-314) in a Real-World Context in Subjects With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD)Results expected Q1 2033
- 2026-07-15A Multi-center, Randomized, Double-masked, Active-comparator-controlled, Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Ixoberogene Soroparvovec (Ixo-vec) in Participants With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (AQUARIUS)Results expected Q4 2027
- 2026-07-09A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study of the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Subcutaneously Administered Pozelimab in Combination With Cemdisiran or Cemdisiran Alone in Participants With Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular DegenerationResults expected Q4 2027
- 2026-05-28Efficacy of Faricimab in Patients With Subretinal Hyperreflective Material Associated With Type 2 or Mixed Neovascular Membranes Assessed by Multimodal ImagingResults expected Q4 2028
- 2026-05-15Vitrectomy, Subretinal Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Intravitreal Gas for Submacular Haemorrhage Secondary to Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration (TIGER): a Phase 3, Pan-European, Two-group, Observer-masked, Superiority, Randomised Controlled Surgical Trial.Results expected Q4 2028
Recently completed
- 2026-07-14Efficacy of Switching to Aflibercept 8mg in Patients With Neovascular AMD Showing Limited Response to Faricimab or Aflibercept 2mgCompleted
- 2025-10-14An Open-label, Non-randomized, Multi-center, Phase 4 Pharmacokinetic Study to Evaluate the Systemic Exposure After Bilateral Intravitreal Administration of High Dose (8 mg) Aflibercept in Adults With Diabetic Macular Edema or Neovascular Age-related Macular DegenerationCompleted
+1 more in the activity timeline below
Industry & MarketView all 7Hide
- 2026-07-24Cost-Effectiveness of Photobiomodulation for Intermediate Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Model-Based Analysis Using the LIGHTSITE III 24-Month TrialTrial news · American Journal of Ophthalmology
- 2026-07-25Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist and Age-related Macular Degeneration: Adding to the StoryIndustry · Ophthalmology (AAO)
- 2026-08-28Early Versus Delayed Pegcetacoplan Treatment for Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration in OAKS, DERBY, and GALEIndustry · American Journal of Ophthalmology
- 2026-07-06Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Use Reduces the Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Electronic Health Record Analysis: Signal or Solution?Industry · Ophthalmology (AAO)
- 2026-07-25Renal Impairment and Age-related Macular Degeneration: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisIndustry · American Journal of Ophthalmology
+2 more in the activity timeline below
Regulatory UpdatesViewHide
- 2026-07-24CHMP positive opinion — RanibizumabTreatment of adults with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- 2026-07-15Approval — RanibizumabVislyfa is indicated in adults for: The treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) The treatment of visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DME) The treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) The treatment of visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (branch RVO or central RVO) The treatment of visual impairment due to choroidal neovascularisation (CNV)
Activity timeline18
- 2026-08-28IndustryEarly Versus Delayed Pegcetacoplan Treatment for Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration in OAKS, DERBY, and GALEIndustry · American Journal of Ophthalmology
- 2026-08-14ClinicalA Randomized, Controlled, Partially Masked, Phase 3b Study to Assess the Injection Burden, Efficacy, Safety, and Long-Term Preservation of Visual Acuity of Surabgene Lomparvovec (ABBV-RGX-314) in a Real-World Context in Subjects With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD)Results expected Q1 2033
- 2026-07-25IndustryGlucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist and Age-related Macular Degeneration: Adding to the StoryIndustry · Ophthalmology (AAO)
- 2026-07-25IndustryRenal Impairment and Age-related Macular Degeneration: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisIndustry · American Journal of Ophthalmology
- 2026-07-24RegulatoryCHMP positive opinion — RanibizumabTreatment of adults with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- 2026-07-24IndustryCost-Effectiveness of Photobiomodulation for Intermediate Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Model-Based Analysis Using the LIGHTSITE III 24-Month TrialTrial news · American Journal of Ophthalmology
- 2026-07-15ClinicalA Multi-center, Randomized, Double-masked, Active-comparator-controlled, Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Ixoberogene Soroparvovec (Ixo-vec) in Participants With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (AQUARIUS)Results expected Q4 2027
- 2026-07-15RegulatoryApproval — RanibizumabVislyfa is indicated in adults for: The treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) The treatment of visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DME) The treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) The treatment of visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (branch RVO or central RVO) The treatment of visual impairment due to choroidal neovascularisation (CNV)
- 2026-07-14ClinicalEfficacy of Switching to Aflibercept 8mg in Patients With Neovascular AMD Showing Limited Response to Faricimab or Aflibercept 2mgCompleted
- 2026-07-09ClinicalA Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study of the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Subcutaneously Administered Pozelimab in Combination With Cemdisiran or Cemdisiran Alone in Participants With Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular DegenerationResults expected Q4 2027
Therapeutic landscape
Therapies with a regulatory footing for this condition, alongside the wider set of agents co-studied with it in the literature.
Approved & established therapies
Ranibizumabapproved
Approval — Vislyfa is indicated in adults for: The treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macul… (2026)
Afliberceptapproved
Approval — Eyluxvi is indicated for adults for the treatment of- neovascular (wet) age-related macul… (2025)
Clinical trials
The current development programme across all trial phases.
Clinical programme
24
6
18
6
Late-stage studies
Recruiting
Recently completed
Regulatory timeline
Drug regulatory events matched to this condition by indication — EMA.
First approvals
2026emaApproval — Ranibizumab· Vislyfa is indicated in adults for: The treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) The treatment of visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DME) The treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) The treatment of visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (branch RVO or central RVO) The treatment of visual impairment due to choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) source ↗
2025emaApproval — Aflibercept· Eyluxvi is indicated for adults for the treatment of- neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (see section 5.1),- visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (branch RVO or central RVO) (see section 5.1),- visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DME) (see section 5.1),- visual impairment due to myopic choroidal neovascularisation (myopic CNV) (see section 5.1). source ↗
2025emaApproval — Aflibercept· Afiveg is indicated for adults for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (see section 1), visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (branch RVO or central RVO) (see section 5.1), visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DME) (see section1), visual impairment due to myopic choroidal neovascularisation (myopic CNV) (see section 5.1). source ↗
2025emaApproval — Aflibercept· Mynzepli is indicated for adults for the treatment of- neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD),- visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (branch RVO or central RVO),- visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DME),- visual impairment due to myopic choroidal neovascularisation (myopic CNV) source ↗
2025emaApproval — Aflibercept· Eiyzey is indicated for adults for the treatment of- neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (see section 5.1),- visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (branch RVO or central RVO) (see section 5.1),- visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DME) (see section 5.1),- visual impairment due to myopic choroidal neovascularisation (myopic CNV) (see section 5.1)s. source ↗
2025emaApproval — Aflibercept· Vgenfli is indicated for adults for the treatment of- neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD),- visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (branch RVO or central RVO),- visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DME),- visual impairment due to myopic choroidal neovascularisation (myopic CNV). source ↗
2025emaApproval — Aflibercept· Eydenzelt is indicated for adults for the treatment of: neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (see section 5.1), visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (branch RVO or central RVO) (see section 5.1), visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DME) (see section 5.1), visual impairment due to myopic choroidal neovascularisation (myopic CNV) (see section 5.1). source ↗
2025emaApproval — Aflibercept· Ahzantive is indicated for adults for the treatment of • neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (see section 5.1), • visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (branch RVO or central RVO) (see section 5.1), • visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DME) (see section 5.1), • visual impairment due to myopic choroidal neovascularisation (myopic CNV) (see section 5.1). source ↗
Other regulatory activity
2026emaCHMP positive opinion — Ranibizumab· Treatment of adults with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). source ↗
European Medicines Agency (CC BY 4.0). Events are matched to this condition by drug indication text — approvals/updates for drugs indicated for it, not disease-specific acts.
Research activity
Key research shaping understanding of this disease, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.
Publications over time
20012024
Most influential
Recent publications
Major themes8
- Macular Degeneration4
- Diabetic Retinopathy2
- Global Health2
- Aging1
- Angiogenesis Inhibitors1
- Angiopoietin-21
- Antibodies, Bispecific1
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome1
Leading journals6
- The Lancet. Global health2
- Acta neuropathologica communications1
- Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)1
- Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology1
- International journal of molecular sciences1
- Lancet (London, England)1
Leading researchers8
- Holz FG2
- Wong TY2
- Ackland P1
- Akimaru H1
- Alves CH1
- Amano N1
- Amato R1
- Ambrósio AF1
Affiliations (unnormalised)6
- University of Cambridge2
- and Bernard and Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory1
- Anglia Ruskin University1
- Babraham Institute1
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute1
- Brien Holden Vision Institute1
Associated genes
Genes associated with this disease in the canonical knowledge graph (Open Targets evidence). Number shows the association score.
Disease biology
Proteins whose encoding gene is associated with this disease, reached through the canonical gene→disease graph. Number shows the gene's association score.
Related conditions
Diseases frequently studied alongside this one. Number shows shared papers.
Disease profile
A grounded synthesis of the condition — overview, causes, mechanism, risk factors and current standard of care.
Overview
Macular degeneration is a degenerative disease of the retina that usually affects older adults. It damages the macula lutea and leads to loss of central vision, and it occurs in dry and wet forms.
Causes
The supplied grounding does not identify a specific cause or aetiology for macular degeneration. It is described as an age-related degenerative retinal condition, but no single causal factor is supported here.
Pathophysiology
The disease involves degenerative changes in the retina with damage to the macula, resulting in reduced central visual acuity. The literature grounding also links age-related macular degeneration to altered signal transduction and to thyroid hormone signaling imbalance in retinal cells, including photoreceptors, Müller glia, and pigmented epithelial cells.
Risk factors
Older age is the clearest risk factor supported by the grounding, since the disease is described as usually occurring in older adults. The supplied material also associates age-related macular degeneration with thyroid disorders and thyroid hormone homeostasis imbalance, but does not establish these as proven risk factors.
Current standard of care
The grounding supports diagnosis and drug therapy as major literature themes, but it does not specify a particular treatment standard. At the modality level, management is generally described in terms of diagnostic evaluation and drug therapy, with the disease occurring in dry and wet forms.
AI-generated summary grounded in MeSH and 6 peer-reviewed sources. Informational only — not medical advice. Generated 2026-07-07.
Reference
Authoritative identity, definition & identifiers.
Defined in MeSH
Degenerative changes in the RETINA usually of older adults which results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the MACULA LUTEA) because of damage to the retina. It occurs in dry and wet forms.
Identifiers
References & data sources
- Disease identity & definition — NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), public domain
- Clinical trials — ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Research activity — Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) + OpenAlex-derived paper links
- Related entities are derived from literature co-mention (studied together) — associative, not causal.