Ixo-vec gene therapy versus aflibercept for wet age-related macular degeneration (AQUARIUS)

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Able and willing to provide informed consent (or have a legally authorized representative who is able and willing to provide informed consent) prior to any study assessments and procedures and comply with the study requirements and visits.
2. Male or female with a diagnosis of CNV secondary to nAMD in the study eye, with nAMD disease activity at Screening Visit 1.
3. At least 50 years old at Screening Visit 1.
4. An ETDRS BCVA letter score of 35 - 78 (approximate Snellen equivalent of 20/200 to 20/32) in the study eye at Screening Visit 1.
5. Demonstrated a meaningful anatomic response to anti-VEGF therapy during screening.
6. Able to reliably use eye drops per protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

General Exclusion Criteria

1. History of a medical condition giving reasonable suspicion of a condition that contraindicates the use of Ixo-vec, compromises the participant's ability to comply with the planned study activities, or that might affect the interpretation of the results of the study or render the participant at high risk for treatment complications in the opinion of the Investigator. History of severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection may meet this exclusion criterion if, in the opinion of the Investigator, it is likely to lead to any important complications.
2. Received any prior gene therapy.
3. Prior treatment with any non-gene therapy investigational medicinal product (IMP) or medical device in the study eye within 3 months of Screening Visit 1 or 5 half-lives of the IMP prior to dosing with Ixo-vec, whichever is longer.
4. Female participants who are pregnant or breastfeeding or who intend to become pregnant or breastfeed in the future.
5. History or evidence of any of the following cardiovascular diseases:

   1. Myocardial infarction in the 6-month period prior to Week 1.
   2. Uncontrolled hypertension defined as systolic blood pressure \> 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure \> 100 mmHg during screening.
   3. Stroke in the 6-month period prior to Week 1.
6. History of ongoing bleeding disorders. The use of aspirin or other anticoagulants (e.g., Factor Xa inhibitors) is permitted.
7. Use of systemic immunosuppressive drugs within 90 days prior to Screening Visit 1. Short courses of oral corticosteroids are permitted, as well as any inhaled, intra-articular, nasal or dermal steroid use.
8. Evidence of poorly controlled diabetes or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 8.0% during screening.

Ocular Exclusion Criteria

1. Any active ocular or periocular infection in the study eye from Screening Visit 1.
2. History or evidence of the following in the study eye:

   1. Intraocular or refractive surgery within 5 months prior to Week 1.
   2. Any previous penetrating keratoplasty or vitrectomy.
   3. Any previous panretinal photocoagulation.
   4. Any previous submacular surgery, other surgical intervention (including port delivery system) or laser treatment for age-related macular degeneration.
3. Any history or evidence of retinal detachment (with or without repair) or retinal pigment epithelium rip/tear in the study eye, as determined by the Investigator during screening or at Week 1.
4. Uncontrolled ocular hypertension or glaucoma in the study eye from Screening Visit 1 to Week 1 or current use of ≥ 2 intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering medications or normal tension glaucoma/suspect in the study eye or history of any of the following procedures in the study eye prior to Week 1:

   1. Incisional glaucoma surgery (i.e., glaucoma drainage implant/shunt or trabeculectomy)
   2. Ocular angle-based surgery (i.e., goniotomy or canaloplasty)
   3. Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) in the study eye.
   4. Angle-based glaucoma surgery (e.g., Argon or Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty)
5. Any history of IOP elevation related to topical steroid administration in either eye.
6. Any history of uveitis or inflammation (grade trace or above) except mild anticipated post operative inflammation that resolved in either eye.
7. Any history of treatment with complement inhibitors for geographic atrophy in the study eye.
8. Known history of ocular herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, or cytomegalovirus, including viral uveitis, retinitis, or keratitis in either eye.