New injection shows promising results in trial for diabetic macular edema

US pharmaceutical company Merck has reported a major development in the clinical trial of its experimental drug Remigromig for diabetic macular edema, a diabetes-related eye condition that can cause vision loss.

According to Reuters, Merck said Remigromig met the main goal of a 52-week clinical trial involving 984 patients with diabetic macular edema.

The drug achieved the required standard for change in visual acuity and was found to be non-inferior to Roche’s established treatment ranibizumab.

Remigromig is an experimental injection designed to activate the Wnt pathway, which plays a role in cell growth and repair. The treatment aims to help restore the protective lining of blood vessels in the retina and reduce the leakage of fluid into the eye.

Diabetic macular edema develops when diabetes damages blood vessels in the retina, allowing fluid to build up in the macula. Swelling in this area can affect central and clear vision.

Analysts said Remigromig could offer a new approach to treating retinal vascular diseases if it is eventually approved.

However, they stressed that the full trial results and additional safety data will be important in assessing its potential.

Merck said the drug was generally tolerated by patients, but the rate of treatment discontinuation linked to certain retinal vascular complications was higher than with ranibizumab. The company said it is continuing to analyse the findings.

Analyst Evan Seigerman of BMO Capital Markets said more detailed trial results and supporting data would be needed before the drug’s commercial potential could be properly assessed. He also noted that safety remains an important issue.

Diabetic macular edema is a common complication of diabetes in which damaged retinal blood vessels leak fluid into the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp central vision.

Current treatments include anti-VEGF injections, laser therapy and steroid injections or implants. Ranibizumab is an anti-VEGF drug that helps control abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage.

Merck is also studying Remigromig for other retinal diseases, including neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

The company plans to present the latest findings at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology next month.