Valitor Presents Preclinical Safety Data on Long-Acting Anti-VEGF VLTR-559 for Wet AMD
Valitor announced new preclinical data on VLTR-559, its long-acting anti-VEGF biologic in development for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The findings were featured in a presentation at the Ophthalmology Futures Retina Forum.
In a dose-finding non-human primate (NHP) toxicology study, VLTR-559 was well tolerated at the anticipated clinical dose, with results comparable to or better than currently approved short-acting anti-VEGF therapies, according to Vailitor.
Key observations:
No evidence of ocular inflammation in the aqueous chamber
Stable intraocular pressure throughout the study period
SPOTS (semiquantitative preclinical ocular toxicology scoring) results: vitreous cell scores were equivalent or improved compared to marketed anti-VEGF therapies
Valitor says these findings support the continued development of VLTR-559 as a potentially safer, longer-acting therapeutic alternative to first-generation intravitreal injections.
“We are excited to present our most recent in vivo safety data, which build on a series of highly promising results demonstrating VLTR-559 has the capacity to significantly redefine the treatment regimen for wet AMD,” said Wesley Jackson, PhD, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Valitor. “A well-tolerated and potent anti-VEGF therapy that is administered only twice a year has the potential to improve long-term outcomes for patients. Additionally, the availability of a longer-acting anti-VEGF can reduce the clinical costs associated with the more frequent doctor visits required by first generation therapies.”
Dr. Jackson emphasized that VLTR-559 was designed to enable a simplified and reliable “treat-and-release” regimen, easing the management of wet AMD for both physicians and patients.
VLTR-559 is being developed as a twice-yearly intravitreal therapy for wet AMD. Unlike first-generation anti-VEGFs that require frequent dosing and monitoring, VLTR-559 leverages Valitor’s proprietary Multivalent Polymer (MVP) platform to deliver durable suppression of VEGF activity.
Preclinical data show that VLTR-559:
Persists in ocular tissues three to four times longer than short-acting anti-VEGFs
Maintains potency without compromising safety
Demonstrates efficacy and tolerability consistent with marketed intravitreal therapies
Valitor is currently advancing VLTR-559 through IND-enabling studies, with the goal of initiating human clinical trials.