Anti-VEGF peptide near phase I clinical trials

Key Points

Louisville, KY-Potentia Pharmaceuticals Inc. is making progress on its lead drug candidate for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The company announced in late March that it is entering the clinical phase for its POT-4, which shuts down the complement activation system that could lead to local inflammation, tissue damage, and upregulation of angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Potentia said it would initiate phase I clinical trials to evaluate the compound.

According to the company, four landmark studies published in April 2005 demonstrated a genetic link between the complement system and AMD. POT-4 is the first complement inhibitor tested in patients with AMD.