Clinical trial Recruiting at 35 sites Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

MK-8748 vs aflibercept for diabetic macular edema

Official title: A Randomized, Double-Masked, Multicenter, 3-Arm, Pivotal Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal (IVT) MK-8748 Compared With Aflibercept (2 mg) in Participants With Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

Run by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC · NCT07705555 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial tests whether MK-8748 can treat diabetic macular edema as well as the standard treatment aflibercept in people with diabetes.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment960 (estimated)
SponsorMerck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Industry-sponsored
Locations35 sites (Gilbert, Arizona and 34 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 27, 2026
Main results expectedOctober 31, 2028
Study endsOctober 31, 2029
Registry record updatedNovember 3, 2026
Trial IDNCT07705555 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, DME-related vision loss, HbA1c ≤ 12%, and appropriate prior treatment status (treatment-naïve within 9 months or previously treated within 3 years).

Probably not a fit

Individuals with recent major cardiovascular events, advanced renal disease requiring dialysis, or other specified exclusion 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 3 interventional study comparing MK-8748 to aflibercept for treating diabetic macular edema. Eligible participants have diabetes and vision loss primarily due to DME, with specific criteria for treatment history. Participants will receive either MK-8748 or aflibercept to determine if the new medicine can perform as well as the current standard. The trial aims to assess vision-related outcomes and safety over a defined period. Sites are in Arizona and California under Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience similar improvement in vision with MK-8748 as with aflibercept.

How similar studies have gone: Previous trials of alternative therapies for DME have shown variable success; this study tests a novel agent against the established therapy.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

The main inclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following:

* Has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus and a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of ≤12%
* Has a decrease in vision in the study eye determined by the Investigator to be primarily the result of diabetic macular edema (DME)
* For participants who are treatment-naïve for DME, the diagnosis must have been made within 9 months of screening. For all treatment-experienced participants, the first treatment should have been no longer than 3 years prior to the Screening visit

Exclusion Criteria:

The main exclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following:

* Has had renal failure requiring renal transplant, hemodialysis, or peritoneal dialysis or has renal failure anticipated to require hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis at any time during the study
* Has history of stroke (cerebral vascular accident) or myocardial infarction within 180 days to first dose of study intervention
* Has newly diagnosed or previously untreated diabetes mellitus and initiated oral or injectable anti-diabetic medication within 3 months to first dose of study intervention
* Has history of cataract surgery and/or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery in the study eye within 90 days of screening
* Has any treatment for complications of cataract surgery with steroids or yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser capsulotomy in the study eye within 90 days of screening
* Has advanced or uncontrolled glaucoma in the study eye
* Has any history of retinal detachment or treatment or surgery for retinal detachment in the study eye
* Has active retinal disease other than the condition under investigation in the study eye
* Has uncontrolled blood pressure at screening

Where it's running

  • Associated Retina Consultants, Ltd ( Site 0084)
    Gilbert, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting
  • Global Research Management ( Site 0066)
    Glendale, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Retinal Consultants Medical Group ( Site 0013)
    Sacramento, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Retina Specialists of Colorado ( Site 0068)
    Denver, Colorado, United States
    Recruiting
  • Retina Consultants ( Site 0065)
    Manchester, Connecticut, United States
    Recruiting
  • Vitreo Retinal Associates ( Site 0042)
    Gainesville, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
Show 29 more locations
  • Retina Care Specialists ( Site 0095)
    Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida ( Site 0034)
    Tampa, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Florida Retina Institute ( Site 0105)
    Wildwood, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Midwest Eye Institute ( Site 0113)
    Carmel, Indiana, United States
    Recruiting
  • Retina Associates LLC ( Site 0024)
    Lenexa, Kansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Mid Atlantic Retina ( Site 0062)
    Hagerstown, Maryland, United States
    Recruiting
  • Retina Specialists ( Site 0074)
    Towson, Maryland, United States
    Recruiting
  • Mississippi Retina Associates, P.A. ( Site 0061)
    Madison, Mississippi, United States
    Recruiting
  • Envision Ocular, LLC ( Site 0039)
    Bloomfield, New Jersey, United States
    Recruiting
  • Mid Atlantic Retina ( Site 0048)
    Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States
    Recruiting
  • Retina Associates of Western NY, PC ( Site 0038)
    Rochester, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • North Carolina Retina Associates ( Site 0064)
    Wake Forest, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Charleston Neuroscience Institute ( Site 0087)
    Bluffton, South Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Palmetto Retina Center ( Site 0063)
    Florence, South Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Charleston Neuroscience Institute ( Site 0022)
    Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Palmetto Retina Center ( Site 0014)
    West Columbia, South Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Southeastern Retina Associates PC ( Site 0071)
    Johnson City, Tennessee, United States
    Recruiting
  • Southeastern Retina Associates PC ( Site 0018)
    Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
    Recruiting
  • Austin Retina Associates ( Site 0008)
    Austin, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Retina Consultants of Texas ( Site 0001)
    Bellaire, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Austin Retina Associates ( Site 0080)
    San Marcos, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Retina Consultants of Texas ( Site 0029)
    Schertz, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Retina Consultants ( Site 0104)
    Charleston, West Virginia, United States
    Recruiting
  • Fundacion Zambrano ( Site 0402)
    Caba, Argentina
    Recruiting
  • Eyeclinic Albury-Wodonga ( Site 2204)
    Albury, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Marsden Eye Specialists ( Site 2200)
    Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Strathfield Retina Clinic ( Site 2202)
    Strathfield, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Sydney Retina Clinic and Day Surgery ( Site 2203)
    Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Bristol Eye Hospital ( Site 0902)
    Bristol, Bristol, City of, United Kingdom
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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.