Statistically Significant Slowing of Disease Progression Seen at 12 Months APL-2 is a synthetic peptide which shuts down the complement activation system responsible for local inflammation, tissue damage (as in dry AMD) and the resulting blood vessel growth (angiogenesis in wet AMD).

Discovered by Professor John Lambris, University of Pennsylvania, APL-2 (formerly called POT-4) was the first complement inhibitor tested in patients with dry AMD, also called “geographic atrophy”. On Feb. 10, 2015, Apellis Pharmaceuticals announced the beginning of Phase I clinical trial of APL-2. The multi-center trials, labeled ASAP II, focused on establishing safety of intravitreal injections of APL-2.

After success at that stage in 2015, Apellis began a larger Phase II trial. Now the company reports that APL-2 has demonstrated a statistically significant slowing of geographic atrophy over 12 months, while appearing to increase in the second 6 months of the study. This represents a slowing of the rate of degeneration by almost half, according to Apellis founder and CEO Cedric Francois, MD, PhD. Plans are underway to move forward with Phase III in 2019.

More Information: APELLIS