AMD Antibody Shows Faster Vision Gains Than Vabysmo

An investigational bispecific antibody demonstrated faster and numerically greater short-term improvements in visual acuity and retinal anatomy compared to faricimab (Vabysmo) in a randomized, proof-of-concept trial. The study, presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2024 Annual Meeting, involved 20 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Patients receiving the bispecific antibody, known as RG6346, showed an average gain of 10.3 letters on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity chart after 4 weeks, compared to 6.5 letters for those treated with faricimab.

Furthermore, the RG6346 group exhibited a mean reduction of 104.7 micrometers in central subfield thickness (CST) from baseline, indicating a significant decrease in retinal fluid. In contrast, the faricimab group showed a mean CST reduction of 68.9 micrometers. These anatomical improvements suggest a more rapid and potent effect of the investigational antibody on reducing retinal edema, a key characteristic of wet AMD.

The bispecific antibody RG6346 targets both angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). This dual mechanism is designed to stabilize blood vessels and reduce vascular leakage more effectively than therapies targeting only VEGF-A. Faricimab, the comparator drug, also targets both Ang-2 and VEGF-A, but RG6346's design may offer enhanced efficacy. The trial's primary endpoint was safety and tolerability, which were met with no treatment-related serious adverse events reported in either arm.

While the short-term results are promising, researchers emphasize that longer-term data are needed to confirm sustained efficacy and safety. The trial's small sample size of 20 participants also limits definitive conclusions. However, the observed differences in visual acuity and anatomical changes suggest RG6346 could represent a significant advancement in AMD treatment, potentially offering a reduced treatment burden with faster onset of action. Further clinical trials are planned to evaluate RG6346 in larger patient populations.