EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase 2 VERONA clinical trial of EYP-1901 for diabetic macular edema. EYP-1901 is an investigational sustained delivery therapy containing vorolanib, a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor formulated in bioerodible Durasert E. VERONA is a randomized, controlled, single-masked, Phase 2 trial of EYP-1901 in DME patients previously treated with a standard-of-care anti-VEGF therapy. The three-arm trial is expected to enroll approximately 25 patients assigned to one of two intravitreal doses of EYP-1901 or an aflibercept control.

The primary efficacy endpoint of the VERONA trial is time to first supplemental aflibercept injection up to 24 weeks based on established supplement criteria. Secondary endpoints include safety, change in best corrected visual acuity, change in central subfield thickness as measured by optical coherence tomography, and change in diabetic retinopathy severity scale (DRSS) over time. More information about the trial is available at clinicaltrials.gov (identifier:NCT06099184).

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the leading cause of vision loss in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. DME results when damaged blood vessels leak fluid into the macula, the central portion of the retina responsible for the sharp vision needed for routine tasks such as driving or reading. This resulting retinal swelling can cause blurred vision and may lead to severe vision loss or even blindness.

DME is a common form of sight-threatening retinopathy in people with diabetes, with approximately 28 million people afflicted worldwide. As the prevalence of diabetes continues to grow, an increased number of people will be affected by diabetic eye diseases such as DME. The current standard of care for patients experiencing DME include intravitreal injections of short-acting anti-VEGF biologics, corticosteroids, or laser photocoagulation which can become a burden on patients, caregivers, and physicians due to the longevity of the disease.

EYP-1901 is being developed as a potential paradigm-altering treatment for patients suffering from VEGF-mediated retinal diseases. EYP-1901 delivers vorolanib, a selective and patent-protected tyrosine kinase inhibitor formulated in a solid bioerodible insert using EyePoint?s proprietary sustained-release Durasert E? technology. Vorolanib brings a new mechanistic approach to the treatment of VEGF-mediated retinal diseases as a pan-VEGF receptor inhibitor, inhibiting all VEGF receptors.

Further, in an in-vivo model of retinal detachment, vorolanib demonstrated neuroprotection and antifibrotic benefits. EYP-1901 is shipped and stored at ambient temperature and is administered with a standard intravitreal injection in the physician's office. EYP-1901 is immediately bioavailable, featuring an initial burst of drug, followed by near constant zero-order release kinetics for approximately nine months.

Positive data from both the Phase 1 DAVIO and Phase 2 DAVIO 2 clinical trials of EYP-1901 in wet AMD demonstrated clinically meaningful efficacy data with stable visual acuity and OCT, and a favorable safety profile. Further, the recent DAVIO 2 data demonstrated an impressive treatment burden reduction of approximately 88% at six-months, with over 80% of patients supplement-free or receiving only one supplemental anti-VEGF injection through up to 6 months. The data from the DAVIO 2 clinical trial supports the advancement of the wet AMD program to Phase 3 pivotal trials which are anticipated to initiate in the second half of 2024.

EYP-1901 is also being studied in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. The Phase 2 PAVIA trial in NPDR is fully enrolled with topline data anticipated in the second quarter of 2024.