ASP2020 eye injection safety in Stargardt-type macular dystrophy
Official title: A Phase 1b, Open-label, Multicenter Dose-escalation Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Preliminary Efficacy of a Single Subretinal Dose of ASP2020 in Participants With Macular Dystrophies With a Stargardt-type Clinical Presentation
Run by Astellas Pharma Inc · NCT07734064 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small study will test whether a single ASP2020 eye injection is safe and may help people with Stargardt-type macular dystrophy.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 6 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Astellas Pharma Inc Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 4 sites (Phoenix, Arizona and 3 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 14, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 30, 2029 |
| Study ends | September 30, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | October 28, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07734064 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults with STGD-type macular dystrophy or STGD-like dystrophy and confirmed ABCA4 or related gene variants.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients without confirmed genetic diagnosis or with ocular conditions outside the eligibility criteria may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a Phase 1 interventional study to assess the safety of a single ASP2020 intravitreal injection in adults with Stargardt-type macular dystrophy or related STGD-like conditions. Eligible participants have documented genetic confirmation and meet specific eye and vision criteria. The study will monitor safety and basic vision-related outcomes using standard eye exams and imaging over a defined period. No results are provided here, and the primary goal is to establish safety for future research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the treatment could offer a safe option that supports vision or slows decline for people with STGD-type macular dystrophies.
How similar studies have gone: Other early-stage retinal gene-related therapies have shown safety signals, but this exact approach with ASP2020 is an early, relatively untested strategy.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Documented clinical diagnosis of macular dystrophy with a STGD-type clinical presentation and molecular confirmation, defined as either: * STGD: presence of biallelic (pathogenic or likely pathogenic) ABCA4 variants, or one definite disease-causing ABCA4 variant together with a typical phenotype consistent with STGD. * STGD-like macular dystrophy: presence of one or more pathogenic variants in a gene known to cause macular dystrophy, as appropriate for its expected inheritance mode. * Sufficiently clear ocular media and adequate pupillary dilation to allow for all imaging procedures. * Intraocular pressure (IOP) of ≤ 21 mmHg * Participant has a spherical equivalent refractive error between +8.00 D and -10.00 D. * BCVA ranging from 20/500 to 20/40 (equivalent to 15 to 70 ETDRS letters) * For participants in the \> 20/80 to ≤ 20/40 BCVA range (moderate visual impairment \[MVI\]): presence of a visible definite or probable residual ellipsoid zone (EZ) on SD-OCT, and a total retinal SD-OCT central subfield thickness ≥ 150 micrometers (µm) * For participants in the ≥ 20/500 to ≤ 20/80 BCVA range (severe visual impairment): Presence of a residual ONL within the macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan area and Evidence of RPE disease/damage by means of SD-OCT (hypertransmission defect) and/or FAF imaging (questionably decreased autofluorescence/definitely decreased autofluorescence). Exclusion Criteria: * Participant has a known history of significant systemic disease that could impact ocular health or confound study assessments, based on medical history or prior clinical documentation. * Participant has an autoimmune condition that requires treatment with immunomodulatory therapy and/or biologics that cause immunosuppression. * Participant has known diagnosis of diabetes mellitus with a documented glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value ≥ 7% 3 months prior to screening and based on available medical records. * Participant has a history or evidence of severe cardiac disease, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, including a history of stroke within 12 months prior to screening. * Participant has any complicating systemic disease or active malignancy. * Participant has a known history of any systemic or metabolic condition, or physical examination finding that may significantly affect ocular health or interfere with the interpretation of study assessments. * Participant has presence of another known or suspected molecular diagnosis of macular or retinal disease that could confound interpretation of study outcomes, indicate a second concomitant retinal condition, or suggest a different etiology for the macular disease. * Participant has macular atrophy due to any cause other than a genetically or clinically confirmed diagnosis of STGD or STGD-like macular dystrophy. * Participant has evidence or history of choroidal neovascularization. * Participant has diagnosis of any form of uncontrolled glaucoma (for high-tension glaucoma IOP \> 25 mmHg). * Participant has a history of steroid-induced IOP elevation or known steroid responder status. * Participant has and/or is receiving treatment for thyroid eye disease. * Participant has diabetic retinopathy in excess of mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy * Participant has any other disease(s) affecting the optic nerve. * Participant has a history of anterior or posterior uveitis and/or presence of intraocular inflammation (trace anterior chamber cell or flare), or history of idiopathic or autoimmune-associated uveitis in either eye. * Participant has media opacities impeding the visualization of the fundus and/or the reliable performance of the visual function tests required by the protocol. * Participant has aphakia. * Participant has a clinically significant epiretinal membrane or evidence of clinically significant vitreomacular traction syndrome. * Participant has any other disorders which could interfere with or confound visual acuity and other ocular assessments, including OCT or FAF. * Participant has history of any of the following procedures: posterior vitrectomy, retinal detachment surgery, glaucoma filtering surgery, glaucoma drainage device implantation, selective laser trabeculoplasty, full-thickness or partial- thickness corneal transplant. * Participant has had any intraocular surgery within 3 months of screening. * Participant has a history of intraocular metallic foreign bodies. * Participant has received any treatment including gene therapy, stem cell therapy, surgical implantation of prosthetic retinal chips, or any prior intravitreal treatment for any indication in either eye that may be considered to potentially interfere with the study participation or its conduct. * Participant has received within 1 month prior to screening or is receiving concomitant treatment with any ocular or systemic medication known to be toxic to the lens, retina, or optic nerve. * Participant has received any investigational therapy within 3 months prior to screening. * Participant has any condition, which makes the participant unsuitable for study participation.
Where it's running
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Associated Retina Consultants
Phoenix, Arizona, United States Recruiting -
Deep Blue Retina
Southaven, Mississippi, United States Recruiting -
Cincinnati Eye Institute
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
Retina Foundation of Southwest
Dallas, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine
- Email: Astellas.registration@astellas.com
- Phone: 800-888-7704
Similar studies
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.