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Assessing corneal endothelial cells in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated with a delivery system for ranibizumab

A Phase IV, Multicenter, Open-label Study to Assess Corneal Endothelial Cells in Patients With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration Treated With the Port Delivery System With Ranibizumab (PDS)

Phase 4 Interventional Genentech, Inc. · NCT04853251

This study is testing how a new delivery system for a medication helps people with neovascular age-related macular degeneration while also checking on the health of their corneal cells over time.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment188 (estimated)
Ages50 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorGenentech, Inc. Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionsbrolucizumab, ranibizumab, radiation
Locations50 sites (Mesa, Arizona and 49 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04853251 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the health of corneal endothelial cells in individuals diagnosed with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who are receiving treatment via the Port Delivery System (PDS) with ranibizumab. Participants will be monitored for changes in their corneal cells over time, specifically after being treated with the PDS refilled every 24 weeks. The study aims to gather data on the safety and effectiveness of this treatment approach in managing nAMD. Historical visual acuity and imaging data will also be analyzed to assess treatment responses.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals diagnosed with nAMD within the last 18 months who have shown a positive response to anti-VEGF treatments.

Not a fit: Patients who have not been diagnosed with nAMD or those who have not responded to previous anti-VEGF treatments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into the long-term safety of the PDS treatment for patients with nAMD, potentially improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar treatment approaches for nAMD, indicating potential for success in this study.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria

Ocular Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of nAMD prior to screening as determined by the investigator
* Difference of \<10% in ECD at screening between the 2 eyes as measured by specular microscopy and determined by the independent reading center
* Availability of historical visual acuity (VA) data and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Additionally, fluorescein angiography or color fundus photography can both be used to support participant eligibility per protocol at investigator discretion
* Availability of comprehensive historical anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection data, including agent administered and date of administration from the time of diagnosis, or for at least 2 years prior to screening if diagnosis was made more than 2 years before screening
* Response to at least two prior anti-VEGF IVT injections as determined by the investigator based on the following:

  * Overall decrease in nAMD disease activity detected on historical or screening OCT
  * Stable or improved best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA)
* BCVA of 34 letters (approximate 20/200 Snellen equivalent) or better, using Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart at a starting distance of 4 meters at screening and enrollment
* All subtypes of nAMD lesions are permissible
* nAMD lesions at the time of diagnosis must involve the macula
* Sufficiently clear ocular media and adequate pupillary dilation to allow for clinical examination and analysis and grading by the central reading center of SD-OCT images

Exclusion Criteria

Prior Ocular Treatment

Study Eye:

* Prior treatment with external-beam radiation therapy or transpupillary thermotherapy
* Previous treatment with verteporfin injection (PDT) or corticosteroid IVT injection within 2 years of screening
* Previous laser (except PDT as stated above) used for age related macular degeneration (AMD) treatment
* History of corneal transplant
* History of conjunctival surgery in the superotemporal quadrant
* History of intraocular inflammation following anti-VEGF injection

Either Eye:

* Previous PDS implantation
* Previous intraocular surgery (including cataract surgery) within 6 months of study enrollment
* Prior vitrectomy surgery, submacular surgery, or other surgical intervention for age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
* Prior pars plana vitrectomy surgery
* Previous intraocular device implantation, excluding intraocular lenses
* History of glaucoma-filtering surgery, tube shunts, or microinvasive glaucoma surgery
* Prior participation in a clinical trial involving any intravitreal agents that are not approved at time of screening
* Intraocular laser therapy, including selective laser trabeculoplasty, yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG), prophylactic peripheral iridotomy within 1 year of screening, or YAG capsulotomy within 3 months of screening
* Contact lens wear in either eye within 2 months of screening
* Any prior penetrating ocular trauma
* Any prior ocular blunt trauma affecting corneal or retinal health in the opinion of the investigator, or any ocular blunt trauma within 6 months of screening
* History of corneal transplantation, including partial-thickness corneal grafts
* Prior treatment with brolucizumab
* Prior treatment with external-beam radiation therapy or brachytherapy
* History of hypersensitivity to ranibizumab or any excipients of Susvimo

Macular Neovascularization Lesion (MNV) Characteristics

Study Eye:

* Subretinal hemorrhage that involves the center of the fovea, if the hemorrhage is greater than 0.5-disc area \[1.27 square millimeters (mm\^2)\] in size
* Subfoveal fibrosis or subfoveal atrophy

Either Eye:

* MNV due to other causes, such as ocular histoplasmosis, trauma, or pathologic myopia
* MNV masquerading lesions (e.g., cone dystrophy, adult vitelliform dystrophy, pattern dystrophy)

Current or Historical Ocular Conditions

Study Eye:

* Retinal pigment epithelial tear
* Retinal tears or peripheral retinal breaks on depressed fundus exam that are untreated, or treated within the 3 months prior to study enrollment
* Current vitreous hemorrhage
* Current or history of retinal detachment
* Previous violation of the posterior capsule is also an exclusion criterion unless it occurred as a result of YAG laser posterior capsulotomy in association with prior, posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation
* Spherical equivalent of the refractive error demonstrating more than 8 diopters of myopia or evidence of pathologic myopia on depressed fundus examination
* Preoperative refractive error that exceeds 8 diopters of myopia, for participants who have undergone prior refractive or cataract surgery
* Spherical equivalent of the refractive error demonstrating more than 5 diopters of hyperopia
* Preoperative refractive error that exceeds 5 diopters of hyperopia, for participants who have undergone prior refractive or cataract surgery
* Uncontrolled ocular hypertension or glaucoma and any such condition the investigator determines may require a glaucoma-filtering surgery during a patient's participation in the study
* Scleral pathology in the superotemporal quadrant (e.g., scleral thinning or calcification)
* Conjunctival pathologies in the superotemporal quadrant
* History or presence of severe posterior blepharitis, recurrent chalazia or hordeolum, severe dry eye syndrome, or severe allergic conjunctivitis
* Ectropion, entropion or other impairment of the upper or lower eyelid impacting lid functionality needed to protect the ocular surface from exposure
* Trichiasis
* Corneal neuropathy
* Lagophthalmos or incomplete blink
* Active or history of facial nerve palsy/paresis

Fellow (Non-Study) Eye:

• Concurrent or history of PDS implantation

Either Eye:

* Aphakia or absence of the posterior capsule
* Any concurrent intraocular condition that would either require surgical intervention during the study to prevent or treat visual loss that might result from that condition or affect interpretation of study results
* Corneal ECD ≤1500 cells/mm2 in either eye at screening as determined by the independent reading center
* Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy Grade ≥ 2
* Previous corneal endothelial cell damage, including from blunt or surgical trauma
* Any ocular condition that precludes obtaining an analyzable specular microscopy image
* Active or history of corneal edema
* Active or history of corneal dystrophies
* Active or history of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome
* Active or history of pseudoexfoliation syndrome
* Active or history of herpetic keratitis or kerato-uveitis
* Any active or history of uveitis
* Active intraocular inflammation
* Active or history of keratitis, scleritis, or endophthalmitis
* Active ocular or periocular infection
* Active or history of Sjogren's syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca
* Active or history of floppy eyelid syndrome
* Active or history of chronic eye rubbing
* Active thyroid eye disease

Concurrent Systemic Conditions:

* History of uncontrolled blood pressure
* Active or history of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's)
* History of stroke within the last 3 months prior to screening
* Uncontrolled atrial fibrillation within 3 months of screening
* History of myocardial infarction within the last 3 months prior to screening
* History of other disease, metabolic dysfunction, or clinical laboratory finding giving reasonable suspicion of a disease or condition that contraindicates the use of ranibizumab or placement of the implant and that might affect interpretation of the results of the study or renders the patient at high risk of treatment complications, in the opinion of the investigator
* Current active systemic infection
* Use of any systemic anti-VEGF agents
* Chronic use of oral corticosteroids
* Active cancer within 12 months of enrollment except for appropriately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix, non-melanoma skin carcinoma, and prostate cancer with a Gleason score of ≤ 6 and a stable prostate-specific antigen for \> 12 months
* Previous participation in any non-ocular (systemic) disease studies of investigational drugs within 1 month prior to screening (excluding vitamins and minerals)
* Use of antimitotic or antimetabolite therapy within 30 days or 5 elimination half-lives of the screening visit
* Requirement for continuous use of any medications or treatments indicated as prohibited therapy
* Pregnant or breastfeeding, or intention to become pregnant during the study
* Women of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test result within 28 days prior to initiation of study treatment. If the urine pregnancy test is positive, it must be confirmed by a serum pregnancy test

Where this trial is running

Mesa, Arizona and 49 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov → Find more trials like this →
Conditions Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.