Status of therapies in development for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is among the leading causes of visual impairment in the elderly. The FDA has approved only two treatments, laser photocoagulation and Visudyne photodynamic therapy (PDT), approved for the wet form of AMD, a progressive condition characterized by the presence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Current pharmaceutical activities aimed at the treatment of wet-type AMD are largely focused on the development of anti-angiogenic drugs that would inhibit further CNV formation or even reduce existing CNV. However, other lines of attack for the treatment of wet AMD include anti-inflammatory agents as well as new PDT agents. This review will summarize ongoing activities for these different approaches.