David Boyer, MD, delivered a presentation highlighting clinical results from the phase 2 ARCHER trial of ANX007 in the treatment of geographic atrophy at ARVO 2024. Highlights included 3 significant new findings: First, ANX007 demonstrated significant protection against low-luminance visual acuity (LLVA) loss, indicating that ANX007 effectively preserves visual function under low-light conditions. Next, the treatment significantly protected photoreceptors through 12 months in foveal and nonfoveal patients, and significantly slowed the loss of the ellipsoid zone (EZ), a key indicator of photoreceptor health. Finally, ANX007 preferentially slowed the loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) close to the foveal center. Overall, the presentation demonstrated that ANX007 blocked C1q for neuroprotection, protecting synapses and photoreceptors; preserved VA, reducing the risk of BCVA 15-letter loss by 73%; protected retinal structures — notably photoreceptors and foveal RPE; and is generally well tolerated, with no CNV increase and no reported cases of vasculitis. These findings underscore ANX007’s potential in significantly altering the progression of retinal diseases by protecting critical aspects of retinal structure and function.

“We are pleased to present additional clinical data from the ARCHER trial that are the first to show preservation of both vision and relevant anatomical structures following ANX007 treatment. These data combined with our robust preclinical work underscore the potential of ANX007’s neuroprotective mechanism of action to protect photoreceptor synapses and visual function and deliver differentiated functional benefit for millions of patients. We look forward to advancing ANX007 into registrational phase 3 trials in GA expected to initiate by mid- and second half of 2024,” Douglas Love, president and chief executive officer of Annexon, said in a news release.