Merck's drug for diabetes-related eye disease shows promise in trial
MRK•Merck said remigromig met the main goal in a 52-week mid- to late-stage trial, showing non-inferiority to ranibizumab for change in visual acuity among adults with diabetic macular edema. Discontinuation due to adverse events was higher with remigromig.
1. Trial results
Merck said its injectable drug remigromig met the main goal in a 52-week study of adults with diabetic macular edema, showing non-inferiority to standard treatment ranibizumab for mean change from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity. The company said the drug was well tolerated, though discontinuations due to adverse events were higher than with ranibizumab, and it is analyzing the findings.
2. Treatment approach
Diabetic macular edema causes swelling and fluid buildup in the macula and can lead to blindness. Merck said remigromig is designed to repair the retina’s leaky blood-vessel barrier and help reduce swelling that blurs vision.
3. Results presentation
EyeBio CEO David Guyer called the results an important milestone for developing a potential new treatment, describing remigromig as the first new mechanism of action in 20 years to achieve Phase 3 results non-inferior to anti-VEGF therapy. Merck said it will present the results at the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s annual meeting next month.
