Update on Avacincaptad Pegol for Geographic Atrophy

Geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of permanent vision loss in patients over the age of 50 in developed countries. GA is characterized by the atrophy of retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors and can lead to central or peripheral vision loss, depending on the location of the atrophy. Currently, there are no US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for GA. Avacincaptad pegol (Zimura®; IVERIC Bio Inc, New York, NY, USA) is a C5-specific inhibitor that is being investigated as a potential treatment for GA. C5 is a key protein within the complement system, which maintains retina integrity and health under normal conditions. It is hypothesized that unregulated activation of the complement system (indicated by elevated levels of active proteins such as the membrane attack complex) can exacerbate the progression of GA. This article reviews the latest data regarding avacincaptad pegol as an investigational therapeutic for GA.