Macugen®

An anti-VEGF drug approved by the FDA in 2004 for treatment of wet AMD.

Macugen^® is an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug approved by the FDA in 2004 for treatment of wet AMD. In wet AMD, there is over-expression of the VEGF protein in the retina that causes choroid blood vessels to grow into the retina and become leaky. This drug causes VEGF proteins to "stick" together, thereby inactivating them. This was the first approved anti-VEGF drug for treatment of a retinal degenerative disease and treated individuals showed an increase in retention of vision (70-75% don't lose 3 lines on a visual acuity chart one year after treatment) versus people who are untreated (50%). Visit (OSI)eyetech's website for more information about this drug and the clinical trials.