Aviceda Therapeutics announced topline results from its Phase 2b SIGLEC clinical trial evaluating AVD-104 in patients with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), supporting the candidate’s potential to reduce disease progression and provide functional vision benefits. The study compared AVD-104 with avacincaptad pegol, an existing GA therapy.
In the monthly 1 mg AVD-104 treatment arm, the rate of GA lesion growth was approximately 31 percent lower than expected based on historical sham and natural history data over 12 months, although the primary endpoint did not reach statistical significance versus the active comparator. Participants treated with AVD-104 experienced sustained improvements in mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (+0.6 letters) across the study period—an outcome not previously seen in other GA trials—and a meaningful proportion achieved categorical vision gains (≥ 5, ≥ 10 and ≥ 15 letters). Only 2 percent of treated patients converted to neovascular AMD, indicating a low rate of this known risk.
AVD-104 is a polysialic-acid-coated nanoparticle designed to engage multiple sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (SIGLEC) receptors on retinal immune cells such as macrophages and microglia, aiming to reduce pro-inflammatory signaling and slow retinal degeneration. The safety profile was favourable, with no unexpected serious adverse events reported and a low incidence of neovascular conversion relative to historical data.
Aviceda said it plans to present detailed data at scientific meetings in 2026 and intends to advance AVD-104 into Phase 3 confirmatory studies, with trial designs informed by these Phase 2b outcomes and ongoing regulatory interactions.
