June 2015
Volume 56, Issue 7
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2015
EXTENDED RELEASE BEVACIZUMAB INTRAVITREAL IMPLANT IS WELL TOLERATED IN THE AFRICAN GREEN MONKEY
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Rozemarijn S Verhoeven
    Envisia Therapeutics, Morrisville, NC
  • Stuart Williams
    Envisia Therapeutics, Morrisville, NC
  • Jinny Conley
    Envisia Therapeutics, Morrisville, NC
  • Gary Owens
    Envisia Therapeutics, Morrisville, NC
  • Matthew S Lawrence
    RxGen, Hamden, CT
  • Tomas Navratil
    Envisia Therapeutics, Morrisville, NC
  • Benjamin Yerxa
    Envisia Therapeutics, Morrisville, NC
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships Rozemarijn Verhoeven, Envisia Therapeutics (E); Stuart Williams, Envisia Therapeutics (E); Jinny Conley, Envisia Therapeutics (E); Gary Owens, Envisia Therapeutics (E); Matthew Lawrence, RxGen (E); Tomas Navratil, Envisia Therapeutics (E); Benjamin Yerxa, Envisia Therapeutics (E)
  • Footnotes
    Support None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2015, Vol.56, 230. doi:
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      Rozemarijn S Verhoeven, Stuart Williams, Jinny Conley, Gary Owens, Matthew S Lawrence, Tomas Navratil, Benjamin Yerxa; EXTENDED RELEASE BEVACIZUMAB INTRAVITREAL IMPLANT IS WELL TOLERATED IN THE AFRICAN GREEN MONKEY. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2015;56(7 ):230.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose: Bolus injections of intravitreal (IVT) anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibodies are the standard of care for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), and other ocular diseases, but current therapies require frequent dosing due to the short half-life of these proteins in the vitreous. The development of extended release delivery systems of anti-VEGF therapies would significantly decrease this treatment burden and improve outcomes. The implant is engineered to provide extended release of bevacizumab by combining solid state protein PRINT® microparticles with biodegradable hydrogel matrices.

Methods: The IVT implant was formulated with size- and shape-specific protein PRINT microparticles that were uniformly distributed and embedded in extended release hydrogel formulations. Three adult male African Green Monkeys (1/group) were administered a single bilateral IVT injection of active or placebo implant(s) using a custom implant applicator, and were followed for 56 days. Endpoints included body weights, clinical observations, ophthalmic exams with slit lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy, laser flare photometry, and fundus photography.

Results: There were no complications associated with the dose administration, and the implants were well tolerated. There was no effect on body weight or clinical observations throughout the study. Findings noted during ophthalmic exams were limited to mild vitreous cell infiltrate, and laser flare photometry was within normal limits for this species. There was no evidence of pathology in the posterior segment in any group.

Conclusions: The bevacizumab intravitreal implant was developed using a unique formulation approach for sustained release of anti-VEGF agents, combining precision protein particle fabrication with sustained release polymers. Active and placebo implants were well tolerated in the African Green monkey for 56 days.

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