Cognition Therapeutics recently reported top-line results from a phase 2 clinical trial indicating that its investigational oral drug, zervimesine (CT1812), slowed the progression of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The MAGNIFY study found that zervimesine reduced the growth rate of GA lesions by 28.6% compared with placebo. After 18 months, the average lesion area was 28.2% smaller in treated patients.

The trial ended after enrolling 100 participants, though original plans for the trial called for enrollment of 246 patients. In a press release, the company explained that the decision to terminate the trial allowed a strategic reallocation of resources to other ongoing programs, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, for which zervimesine has also shown signs of efficacy.

Zervimesine is an oral pill taken once daily, in contrast to existing GA treatments that require intravitreal injections. Full safety and visual outcome data have not yet been released. The company plans to present additional results at a future medical meeting. RP