Post hoc analysis of the GATHER1 and GATHER2 pivotal studies has shown that treatment with Izervay (Astellas) reduced the risk of progressing to loss of driving eligibility compared with sham over 24 months in patients with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The findings, presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting in Denver, Colorado, suggested treatment benefits of Izervay increased over time.1
In the GATHER1 study, patients received Izervay every month (EM) or sham for 18 months. In the GATHER2 trial, patients were given Izervay EM or sham for 12 months, after which they were re-randomised to Izervay EM or every other month (EOM) up to 24 months. All patients were eligible to drive at baseline, defined by best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of ≥70 ETDRS letters. The study assessed the risk of progressing to loss of driving eligibility, defined as ≤60 letters seen at two consecutive post-baseline visits, over a 24-month period in the study eye.
Separately, an oral encore presentation of the GATHER2 open-label extension (OLE) study in patients with GA secondary to AMD demonstrated Izervay was well-tolerated with no new safety signals, no cases of retinal vasculitis or occlusive vasculitis, and no increased risk of intraocular inflammation.
Exploratory, longer-term data from the GATHER 2 OLE also showed Izervay’s sustained slowing of GA lesion growth over time, with earlier intervention resulting in greater protection of healthy retinal tissue area.
Reference
- Astellas press release. Available at: IZERVAY® (avacincaptad pegol intravitreal solution) Demonstrated Increased Probability of Maintaining Driving Eligibility in Geographic Atrophy Patients [accessed June 2026].
