We reported here in 2015 that Iluvian, a unique drug implant devised by Alimera Sciences, had entered trials for treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). The drug is a corticosteroid that has demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of DME without the need for monthly injections.
Jay Prensky, MD (investigator for Alimera Sciences) reported to the November 2017 meeting of the American Society of Retina Specialists that Iluvian has provided study subjects with anatomic and visual improvements at the 6-month evaluation in a phase IV study of the implant’s efficacy, anatomic, and safety outcomes.
Patients with the worst baseline vision had the greatest improvements compared with those with better initial vision, with best corrected visual acuity improving significantly beginning as early as 7 days after the implant and sustaining out to the 6-month time point. Additionally, concurrent decreases in the central subfield thickness were seen early after implantation and remained decreased to the 6-month evaluation.
Alimera Sciences also began studying Iluvian as a potential treatment for dry macular degeneration, but concerns by the FDA about safety and manufacturing standards have slowed its progress toward clinical trials.
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