Clinical trial Recruiting at 71 sites Phase 3 Interventional Ages 50 and up

Long-term evaluation of a delivery system for eye treatment in age-related macular degeneration

Official title: A Multicenter, Open-Label Extension Study to Evaluate the Long-Term Safety and Tolerability of the Port Delivery System With Ranibizumab in Patients With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Portal)

Run by Hoffmann-La Roche · NCT03683251 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new delivery system for eye treatment to see if it is safe and effective for people with a specific type of age-related vision loss.

More Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages50 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment1000 (estimated)
SponsorHoffmann-La Roche
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionsranibizumab, bevacizumab, radiation
Locations165 sites (Phoenix, Arizona and 164 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedSeptember 20, 2018
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2029
Study endsDecember 31, 2029
Registry record updatedOctober 27, 2026
Trial IDNCT03683251 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are individuals who have previously participated in specific earlier studies related to the Port Delivery System and have completed the necessary assessments.

Probably not a fit

Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have other ocular diseases that contraindicate the use of ranibizumab may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study assesses the long-term safety and tolerability of the Port Delivery System (PDS) with ranibizumab in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Participants must have previously completed specific earlier studies and will be monitored for their response to the treatment. The study includes two sub-studies: one evaluating the effectiveness of transscleral photocoagulation to address complications from the PDS implantation, and another focusing on the safety of re-implantation of the updated PDS. A total of approximately 155 participants will be enrolled across these sub-studies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a more effective long-term treatment option for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies involving the Port Delivery System have shown promise, indicating that this approach may be effective for treating nAMD.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Previous enrollment in and completion of Study GX28228 (Ladder) or Study GR40548 (Archway), without early treatment or study discontinuation in either study OR Previous enrollment in Study WR42221 (Velodrome) and either not eligible to be randomized in Study WR42221 at Week 24 or completed the study (from the Q24W or Q36W arm)
* Ability and willingness to undertake all scheduled visits and assessments
* For women of childbearing potential: agreement to remain abstinent or use contraceptive measures

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant or breastfeeding, or intending to become pregnant during the treatment period and for at least 28 days after the last intravitreal injection of ranibizumab or 1 year after the last Implant refill-exchange of ranibizumab
* History of other ocular diseases that give reasonable suspicion of a disease or condition that contraindicates the use of ranibizumab, that might affect interpretation of the results of the study or that renders the participant at high risk for treatment complications
* History of other diseases, 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 that renders the participant at high risk of treatment complications
* Requirement for continuous use of any medications or treatments indicated in the "Prohibited Therapy"

Sub-study 1

Inclusion Criteria

\- For women of childbearing potential: agreement to remain abstinent (refrain from heterosexual intercourse) or use contraceptive measures

Participants must meet the following ocular criteria for the study eye for substudy entry:

* Diagnosis of exudative nAMD within 2 years prior to the enrollment visit
* Previous treatment with at least two anti-VEGF ITV injections (e.g., ranibizumab, bevacizumab, or aflibercept) for nAMD per standard of care within 6 months prior to the enrollment visit
* Demonstrated response to prior anti-VEGF ITV treatment since diagnosis, as evidenced at enrollment by the following:

Overall decrease in nAMD disease activity detected on SD-OCT AND Stable or improved best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA)

* All subtypes of nAMD lesions are permissible (i.e., type I, type II, type III, or mixed forms per optical coherence tomography (OCT) classification) nAMD lesions at the time of diagnosis must involve the macula (6 mm diameter centered at the fovea).
* Sufficiently clear ocular media and adequate pupillary dilation to allow for analysis and grading by the central reading center of FP and SD-OCT images.

Exclusion Criteria Prior Ocular Treatments Study Eye

* History of vitrectomy surgery, submacular surgery, or other surgical intervention for AMD
* Prior treatment with Visudyne, external-beam radiation therapy, or transpupillary thermotherapy
* Previous treatment with corticosteroid ITV injection
* Previous intraocular device implantation
* Previous laser (any type) used for AMD treatment

Either Eye

* Treatment with anti-VEGF agents other than ranibizumab within 1 month prior to the enrollment visit
* Prior participation in a clinical trial involving anti-VEGF drugs within 6 months prior to the enrollment visit, other than ranibizumab

CNV Lesion Charateristics Study Eye

* Subretinal hemorrhage that involves the center of the fovea, if the hemorrhage is greater than 0.5 disc area (1.27 mm2 ) in size at screening
* Subfoveal fibrosis or subfoveal atrophy

Either Eye

\- CNV due to other causes, such as ocular histoplasmosis, trauma, or pathologic myopia

Concurrent Ocular Conditions Study Eye

* Retinal pigment epithelial tear
* Any concurrent intraocular condition (e.g., cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or epiretinal membrane) 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
* Active intraocular inflammation (grade trace or above)
* History of vitreous hemorrhage
* History of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
* History of rhegmatogenous retinal tears or peripheral retinal breaks within 3 months prior to the enrollment visit
* Aphakia or absence of the posterior capsule
* Previous violation of the posterior capsule is also an exclusion criterion unless it occurred as a result of yttrium-aluminum garnet (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
* Preoperative refractive error that exceeds 8 diopters of myopia, for participants who have undergone prior refractive or cataract surgery in the study eye
* Intraocular surgery (including cataract surgery) within 3 months preceding the enrollment visit
* 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
* History of glaucoma-filtering surgery, tube shunts, or microinvasive glaucoma surgery
* History of corneal transplant
* History of prior vitrectomy surgery and absence of posterior capsule

Either Eye

* History of idiopathic or autoimmune-associated uveitis
* Active infectious conjunctivitis, keratitis, scleritis, or endophthalmitis

Concurrent Systemic Conditions

* Inability to comply with study schedule or procedures as described in the study protocol
* Uncontrolled blood pressure
* History of stroke within the last 3 months prior to informed consent
* Uncontrolled atrial fibrillation within 3 months of informed consent
* History of myocardial infarction within the last 3 months prior to informed consent
* 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 systemic treatment for a confirmed active systemic infection
* Use of any systemic anti-VEGF agents
* Chronic use of oral corticosteroids
* Active cancer within 12 months of enrollment
* Previous participation in any non-ocular (systemic) disease studies of investigational drugs within 1 month preceding the informed consent (excluding vitamins and minerals)
* Use of antimitotic or antimetabolite therapy within 30 days or 5 elimination half-lives of the enrollment visit
* History of albinism
* Pregnant or breastfeeding, or intending to become pregnant during the treatment period and for at least 28 days after the last ITV injection of ranibizumab or 1 year after the last implant refill-exchange of ranibizumab

Sub-study 2

Inclusion Criteria:

* Having experienced septum dislodgement in the original implant while in the main study or after exiting the main study Ocular Inclusion Criteria for Study Eye
* Sufficiently clear ocular media and adequate pupillary dilation to allow for analysis and grading by central reading center

Exclusion Criteria (Cohort 1 only):

Concurrent Ocular Conditions-Study Eye

* Any ocular condition that may render the patient at high risk for surgical or treatment complications
* Intraocular surgery (including cataract surgery) within 1 month preceding the enrollment visit
* Any use of medicated intraocular implants (other than the PDS implant), at any time prior to enrollment
* History of rhegmatogenous retinal tears or peripheral retinal breaks within 3 months prior to the enrollment visit
* Any concurrent ocular condition that would require surgical intervention during the study to prevent or treat visual loss
* Concurrent conjunctival, Tenon's capsule, and/or scleral condition in the supero-temporal quadrant of the eye (e.g., scarring, thinning, mass) that may affect the refill-exchange procedure of the PDS implant
* Ongoing ocular complications that might affect participant safety

Concurrent Ocular Conditions-Either Eye

* Suspected or active ocular or periocular infection
* Any history of uveitis
* Active blepharitis

Concurrent Systemic Conditions

* Recent history (in the last 3 months prior to enrollment) of other disease, other non-diabetic metabolic dysfunction, physical examination finding, or clinical laboratory finding giving reasonable suspicion of a condition that contraindicates the use of ranibizumab or surgical placement of the PDS implant; that might affect interpretation of the results of the study; or that renders the participant at high risk for treatment complications
* Active cancer within the last 12 months, except for appropriately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix, non-melanoma skin carcinoma, or prostate cancer
* Current systemic treatment for a confirmed active systemic infection - Participation in an investigational trial that involves treatment with any drug or device (with the exception of vitamins and minerals or enrollment in the main study GR40549) within 6 months prior to enrollment.
* Use of antimitotic or antimetabolite therapy within 30 days or 5 elimination half-lives.

Where it's running

  • Oftalmos
    Capital Federal, Argentina
    Recruiting
  • Centro Oftalmologico Dr. Charles S.A.
    Ciudad Autonoma Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Recruiting
  • Eye and Retina Consultants
    Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • LKH-Univ.Klinikum Graz
    Graz, Austria
    Recruiting
  • Medizinische Universitat Wien
    Vienna, Austria
    Recruiting
  • Botelho Hospital da Visao
    Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil
    Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
  • Retina Clinic
    São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo - UNIFESPX
    São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • Instituto da Visao IPEPO
    São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • Hosp de Olhos de Sorocaba
    Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil
    Recruiting
  • Centre Retine Gallien
    Bordeaux, France
    Recruiting
  • Hopital de la croix rousse
    Lyon, France
    Recruiting
  • Centre Paradis Monticelli
    Marseille, France
    Recruiting
  • Hopital Lariboisiere
    Paris, France
    Recruiting
  • Fondation Rothschild
    Paris, France
    Recruiting
  • Universitatsklinikum Bonn
    Bonn, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitatsklinikum Koln
    Cologne, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Medizinische Universitat Lausitz ? Carl Thiem
    Cottbus, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Klinik für Augenheilkunde
    Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitatsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
    Hamburg, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Klinikum der Stadt Ludwigshafen am Rhein gGmbH
    Ludwigshafen, Germany
    Recruiting
  • LMU Klinikum der Universitat, Augenklinik
    München, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Augenabteilung am St. Franziskus-Hospital
    Münster, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitatsklinikum Munster
    Münster, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Knappschaftsklinikum Saar GmbH
    Sulzbach, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitatsklinikum Tubingen
    Tübingen, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Universitatsklinikum Ulm, Augenklinik und Poliklinik
    Ulm, Germany
    Recruiting
  • Rambam Medical Center
    Haifa, Israel
    Recruiting
  • Hadassah MC
    Jerusalem, Israel
    Recruiting
  • Meir Medical Center
    Kfar Saba, Israel
    Recruiting
  • Rabin MC
    Petah Tikva, Israel
    Recruiting
  • Kaplan Medical Center
    Rehovot, Israel
    Recruiting
  • Tel Aviv Sourasky MC
    Tel Aviv, Israel
    Recruiting
  • Ospedale Clinicizzato SS Annunziata
    Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Policlinico di Bari
    Bari, Apulia, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria "Ospedali Riuniti" Trieste-Ospedale Maggiore
    Trieste, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli
    Rome, Lazio, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Fondazione G.B. Bietti Per Lo Studio E La Ricerca in Oftalmologia-Presidio Ospedaliero Britannico
    Rome, Lazio, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Fondazione Irccs Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico-Clinica Regina Elena
    Milan, Lombardy, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Irccs Ospedale San Raffaele
    Milan, Lombardy, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Asst Fatebenefratelli Sacco
    Milan, Lombardy, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti
    Torrette - Ancona, The Marches, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi
    Florence, Tuscany, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia Ospedale S. Maria Della Misericordia
    Perugia, Umbria, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Ospedale Classificato Equiparato Sacro Cuore ? Don Calabria
    Negrar - Verona, Veneto, Italy
    Recruiting
  • A.O. Universitaria S. Maria Della Misericordia Di Udine
    Udine, Veneto, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge
    L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital General de Catalunya
    San Cugat Del Valles, Barcelona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro
    Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Clinica Universitaria de Navarra
    Pamplona, Navarre, Spain
    Recruiting

+115 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.