Positive Results for Ophthotech's Novel Therapy for Wet AMD - Study of Anti-PDGF and Anti-VEGF Therapy Shows Significant Neovascular Regression and Enhanced Visu...( 59% of patients showed 3-line gain (s...),Health

59% of patients showed 3-line gain (significant visual gain) and 100% neovascular regression

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Ophthotech Corp. today announced positive results of a phase 1 clinical study evaluating E10030, its novel anti-platelet derived growth factor (anti-PDGF) in conjunction with an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF), to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). Anti-PDGF therapy resulted in enhanced visual outcome and was associated with significant neovascular regression. The results were presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2009 Annual Meeting in Fort Lauderdale.

59% percent of patients treated with anti-PDGF and anti-VEGF gained significant vision (3-line gain) at week 12 after therapy. 100% of treated patients demonstrated neovascular regression. E10030 was well tolerated with no evidence of drug-related adverse events. Current standard of care treatment utilizing monotherapy anti-VEGF results in 3-line visual gain in approximately one third of patients and without significant neovascular regression.

"Marked neovascular regression, a first in any study, with an outstanding level of visual gain, is very promising for our patients. My clinical experience with current monotherapy anti-VEGF regimen in wet AMD is consistent with published studies, which show that on average neovascular regression does not occur," said Dr. Lawrence J. Singerman, Clinical Professor at Case Western Reserve University and a principal investigator in over 50 macular clinical trials.

E10030 is an aptamer targeting PDGF, a key molecule involved in the recruitment and maturation of pericytes. Pericytes in neovascular tissue have been shown to be protective and play a major role in anti-VEGF treatment resistance. E10030 strips the pericytes from the neovascular tissue rendering it highly sens
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