Researchers testing a compound treatment for AMD

Gainsville, FL-Scientists at the University of Florida (UF) and researchers in New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Arizona are conducting a new research study, testing an anti-inflammatory compound that has been injected into the eyes of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The scientists are testing the safety and effectiveness of a synthetic peptide.

The complement inhibitors (Compstatin) developed by Potentia Pharmaceuticals, which is funding the safety trial at UF, have been shown to prevent the inflammatory response that accompanies both wet and dry AMD in animal studies.

POT-4, a derivative of the peptide, has been shown to be a much more active version of the original compound.

"There are now multiple reports that these complement proteins may be over stimulated in wet [AMD]," Kaushal said.

The first three patients of the study have been given the injections and a committee will evaluate the safety of the peptide in the eye. If it is successful another 12 will be tested.