Iverics’ bio’s Zimura meet primary endpoint in Phase 2b Trial in certain Macular Degeneration

Iverics’ bio’s Zimura meet primary endpoint in Phase 2b Trial in certain Macular Degeneration, as overall data suggest a dose response relationship across treatment group.

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–IVERIC bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISEE) today announced initial topline data confirming that Zimura® (avacincaptad pegol), the Company’s complement factor C5 inhibitor, met its prespecified primary endpoint in reducing the rate of geographic atrophy (GA) growth in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a randomized, controlled Phase 2b clinical trial. The reduction in the mean rate of GA growth over 12 months was 27.38% (p-value = 0.0072) for the Zimura 2 mg group as compared to the corresponding sham control group and 27.81% (p-value = 0.0051) for the Zimura 4 mg group as compared to the corresponding sham control group. These data for both dose groups were statistically significant. Although efficacy data from patients receiving Zimura 1 mg was not part of the prespecified statistical analysis, preliminary descriptive analysis indicated that, on average, the percent GA growth from baseline to month 12 for Zimura 1 mg group was less than for the corresponding sham control group. The overall data suggest a dose response relationship across treatment groups.

Zimura was generally well tolerated after 12 months of administration. There was no Zimura-related inflammation and there were no Zimura-related discontinuations from the trial. Further, there have been no ocular serious adverse events and no cases of endophthalmitis reported in the study eye in this ongoing clinical trial. During the first 12 months of the trial, the incidence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the untreated fellow eye was 10 patients (3.5%), and in the study eye was 3 patients (2.7%) in the sham control group, 6 patients (9.0%) in the Zimura 2 mg group, and 8 patients (9.6%) in the Zimura 4 mg group. The most frequently reported ocular adverse events were related to the injection procedure.

“IVERIC bio’s unwavering commitment to science has resulted in compelling Phase 2b data in GA secondary to dry AMD, a major public health problem that has devastating effects on our patients,” stated Marco A. Zarbin, M.D., Ph.D., FACS, Professor and Chair, Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey. “As a retina specialist, Zimura’s impressive efficacy results and favorable safety profile observed to date in this trial indicate its potential as a future treatment for this growing patient population, which represents an urgent unmet medical need.”

“This is a major milestone for IVERIC bio and a potentially significant advancement for patients with GA secondary to dry AMD who currently have no treatment options,” stated Glenn P. Sblendorio, Chief Executive Officer and President of IVERIC bio. “Based on these data, we intend to explore all options for the future development of Zimura, including the possibility for collaboration opportunities, licensing and / or potentially further internal development. I especially want to thank patients who participated in the trial, as well as our team, our collaborators and our shareholders that have supported IVERIC bio.”

“Zimura’s efficacy data in this clinical trial supports the potential role of C5 inhibition in GA secondary to dry AMD,” stated Kourous A. Rezaei, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of IVERIC bio. “C5 activation may lead to retinal cell degeneration and ultimately cell death. We believe that the combination of statistically significant efficacy results for both Zimura 2 mg and 4 mg groups compared to their respective sham controls, with the lack of Zimura induced inflammation, zero rate of endophthalmitis and observed CNV conversion rate as compared to sham in this trial may potentially differentiate Zimura. We are encouraged by these exciting results, which we look forward to presenting in more detail at upcoming medical meetings in the near future.”

Phase 2b GA Clinical Trial Design and Results

In this international, randomized, double masked, sham-controlled, multi-center clinical trial, the safety and efficacy of various doses of Zimura were assessed in patients with geographic atrophy secondary to dry AMD. A total of 286 patients were enrolled across two parts of the trial as follows:

• In Part 1 of the trial: 26 patients were randomized to receive monthly intravitreal injections of Zimura 1 mg; 25 patients were randomized to receive monthly intravitreal injections of Zimura 2 mg; and 26 patients were randomized to receive monthly sham injections.
• This trial was modified to add a 4 mg dose group. In Part 2 of the trial: 83 patients were randomized to receive monthly intravitreal injections of Zimura 4 mg, administered as two injections of Zimura 2 mg; 42 patients were randomized to receive monthly intravitreal injections of Zimura 2 mg plus a sham injection; and 84 patients were randomized to receive monthly sham injections, administered as two separate sham injections.

The prespecified statistical analysis plan for the primary and secondary endpoints used a model of repeated measures (MRM) to compare data for the Zimura 2 mg and Zimura 4 mg groups to the corresponding sham groups. The statistical analysis for the Zimura 2 mg group as compared to sham includes stratified data for patients from both Part 1 and Part 2 of the trial. Data from patients receiving Zimura 1 mg in Part 1 of the trial was not part of the prespecified statistical analysis for the efficacy endpoints.

Primary Efficacy Endpoint

The prespecified primary endpoint, mean rate of change in GA growth over 12 months, was measured by fundus autofluorescence (FAF) based on readings at three time points (baseline, month 6, and month 12) and was calculated using the square root transformation of the GA area. The FAF images were assessed by an independent masked reading center. Detailed data for the primary endpoint is shown below:

Mean Rate of Change in Geographic Atrophy (GA) Area from Baseline to Month 12

(Square Root Transformation)

Secondary Efficacy Endpoints

The prespecified secondary endpoints in this trial were the mean change in best corrected visual acuity (Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters) from baseline to month 12 and the mean change in low luminance best corrected visual acuity (ETDRS letters) from baseline to month 12. Detailed data for the secondary endpoints are shown below:

Mean Change in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (VA) from Baseline to Month 12

Mean Change in Low Luminance Best Corrected Visual Acuity (VA) from Baseline to Month 12

As per the clinical trial protocol, patients will continue to be treated and followed through month 18 in order to collect additional data regarding Zimura in GA.