Single ocular injection of a sustained-release anti-VEGF delivers 6months pharmacokinetics and efficacy in a primate laser CNV model.

PubMed ID: 27810558

Author(s): Adamson P, Wilde T, Dobrzynski E, Sychterz C, Polsky R, Kurali E, Haworth R, Tang CM, Korczynska J, Cook F, Papanicolaou I, Tsikna L, Roberts C, Hughes-Thomas Z, Walford J, Gibson D, Warrack J, Smal J, Verrijk R, Miller PE, Nork TM, Prusakiewicz J, Streit T, Sorden S, Struble C, Christian B, Catchpole IR. Single ocular injection of a sustained-release anti-VEGF delivers 6months pharmacokinetics and efficacy in a primate laser CNV model. J Control Release. 2016 Dec 28;244(Pt A):1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.10.026. Epub 2016 Nov 1. PMID 27810558

Journal: Journal Of Controlled Release : Official Journal Of The Controlled Release Society, Volume 244, Issue Pt A, Dec 2016

A potent anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) biologic and a compatible delivery system were co-evaluated for protection against wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) over a 6month period following a single intravitreal (IVT) injection. The anti-VEGF molecule is dimeric, containing two different anti-VEGF domain antibodies (dAb) attached to a human IgG1 Fc region: a dual dAb. The delivery system is based on microparticles of PolyActive™ hydrogel co-polymer. The molecule was evaluated both in vitro for potency against VEGF and in ocular VEGF-driven efficacy models in vivo. The dual dAb is highly potent, showing a lower IC50 than aflibercept in VEGF receptor binding assays (RBAs) and retaining activity upon release from microparticles over 12months in vitro. Microparticles released functional dual dAb in rabbit and primate eyes over 6months at sufficient levels to protect Cynomolgus against laser-induced grade IV choroidal neovascularisation (CNV). This demonstrates proof of concept for delivery of an anti-VEGF molecule within a sustained-release system, showing protection in a pre-clinical primate model of wet AMD over 6months. Polymer breakdown and movement of microparticles in the eye may limit development of particle-based approaches for sustained release after IVT injection.

Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.