Aerpio Therapeutics, Inc. has announced promising results from their “TIME-2” study of AKB-9778 as a treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR). AKB-9778 alone and in combination with Lucentis® (ranibizumab) improved underlying retinopathy by 10.0%, and 11.4% compared to 8.8% of patients receiving Lucentis® alone. The clinical findings were presented by Pravin U. Dugel, M.D., at the Angiogenesis, Exudation, and Degeneration 2016 meeting in Miami on February 6, 2016.
Dr. Dugal reported that “Diabetic retinopathy is a rapidly growing global epidemic, occurring in approximately one-third of all diabetic patients. In greater than 50% of patients with DR, bilateral disease poses a threat to patient vision, and I am particularly excited by the opportunity represented by AKB-9778 to treat bilateral disease with a systemic approach.” Prevent Blindness encourages diabetic patients to have annual dilated eye exams, which are generally covered by commercial insurance and Medicare.
Aerpio is initially focusing development of AKB-9778 in diabetic eye disease, with potential for development in other retinal disorders, including wet AMD.
More information is available at www.aerpio.com.
