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Bispecific vs. Bispecific: Innovent Announces First Patient Dosed in the Phase 2 Clinical Study of Efdamrofusp Alfa (IBI302), a First-in-class Anti-VEGF and Anti-Complement Bispecific Fusion Protein for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema
Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune, ophthalmology and other major diseases, announces the completion of first patient dosing in the Phase 2 clinical study of efdamrofusp alfa (R&D code: IBI302), a recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-antibody human complement recepto
About this update from Innovent Biologics, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune, ophthalmology and other major diseases, announces the completion of first patient dosing in the Phase 2 clinical study of efdamrofusp alfa (R&D code: IBI302), a recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-antibody human complement receptor 1 (CR1) fusion protein, for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).","length":651,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"This randomized, double-masked, multi-center, active-controlled Phase 2 clinical study (NCT06908876) aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal injections of efdamrofusp alfa in DME patients. A total of 150 participants will be enrolled and randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to the IBI302 4 mg group, the IBI302 8 mg group, and the Faricimab (anti-VEGF/ANG-2 bispecific antibody) 6 mg group. The primary endpoint is the change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline in the study eye at week 16.","length":516,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"DME has become the leading cause of vision impairment among the diabetic population in China: According to statistics, China has over 140 million diabetic patients, with approximately one-third of them developing diabetic retinopathy (DR). Among patients with DR, the prevalence rate of DME ranges from 7% to 14%, indicating an estimated 4 to 5 million DME patients in China1.","length":376,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"DME development is primarily driven by microvascular damage mediated by VEGF upregulation and inflammatory factors2. Complement activation is also involved in the development of DME by damaging the neurovascular units through cytolysis, opsonization, and promotion of proinflammatory microenvironment, leading to retinal microvascular lesions, neurodegeneration, and macular edema3. At present, intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents or glucocorticoids are key treatment strategies, effectively improving visual acuity and retinal edema. However, frequent intravitreal injections (every 4 to 8 weeks) can result in poor patient compliance and increased r...