EYP-1901 reduces treatment burden, matches aflibercept on BCVA in wet AMD

Durga S. Borkar, MD, MMCi, discussed findings from the phase 2 DAVIO2 trial (NCT05381948) of EYP-1901 (Duravyu; EyePoint Pharmaceuticals) in previously treated wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at the Women in Ophthalmology (WIO) 2026 Summer Symposium, held August 20-23 in Monterey, California. Borkar, an associate professor of ophthalmology and director of clinical data science at Duke Eye Center, walked through the trial design, key efficacy and safety findings, and how the therapy's broader mechanism of action may translate to reduced treatment burden for patients in real-world practice.

DAVIO2 is a phase 2 randomized controlled trial evaluating the safety, efficacy, and durability of EYP-1901, across 3 arms: a EYP-1901 2-mg low-dose arm, a EYP-1901 3-mg high-dose arm, and an aflibercept (Eylea; Regeneron) 2-mg arm dosed on label. All 3 arms received 3 loading doses of aflibercept 2 mg; at week 8, the EYP-1901 arms received their single dose, while the aflibercept arm received an additional sham injection alongside its loading dose. The primary endpoint was mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at months 7 and 8, averaged—approximately 6 months after the EYP-1901 dose.

The trial met its primary endpoint, with a single EYP-1901 dose demonstrating statistical noninferiority to aflibercept 2 mg dosed every 8 weeks on BCVA change. Borkar reported a favorable safety profile, with no EYP-1901-related ocular or systemic serious adverse events, no insert migration into the anterior chamber, and no cases of retinal occlusive vasculitis. Over 85% of EYP-1901-treated eyes had stable or improved vision at the primary endpoint, alongside an 85% overall reduction in treatment burden compared with patients' pretrial treatment burden. All patients enrolled in DAVIO2 were previously treated, having received an average of 10 anti-VEGF injections in the year before enrollment.

Borkar also highlighted anatomical control data: while the aflibercept arm showed a "sawtooth" pattern of central subfield thickness (CST) fluctuating between injections, the EYP-1901 arms maintained consistent anatomical control throughout, with over 80% of EYP-1901-treated eyes receiving 0 or 1 supplemental injections during the study period.

How EYP-1901’s mechanism could lower treatment burden

Unlike standard anti-VEGF agents, EYP-1901 acts on multiple pathways at once, according to Borkar: pan-VEGF inhibition, PDGF inhibition, and IL-6 activity, targeting angiogenesis, anti-fibrotic effects, and inflammation, respectively. The insert delivers consistent daily dosing with sustained pathway inhibition for at least 6 months.

On real-world treatment gaps, Borkar noted that transportation barriers, comorbidities, and other appointments contribute alongside the injection schedule itself, and that patients whose disease remains uncontrolled despite frequent dosing may not be well served by the traditional anti-VEGF mechanism alone. "This is where looking at expanded treatment options like EYP-1901 is so important, because it can help both of these populations of patients," Borkar told Modern Retina, "and there's really an opportunity to improve lives for multiple populations of patients."