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Presentations include long-term GATHER2 open-label extension data, real-world treatment patterns on safety, and biomarker insights on geographic atrophy disease progression

TOKYO, Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Naoki Okamura, "Astellas") today announced new data for IZERVAY™ (avacincaptad pegol intravitreal solution) for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) will be highlighted at the upcoming American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting (AAO 2025), October 18-20, in Orlando, Fla.

The data feature long-term safety and efficacy results from the GATHER2 open-label extension study, real-world evidence on treatment patterns and safety of IZERVAY in the U.S., and the latest findings on a structure-function link in GA via ellipsoid zone integrity and low-luminance deficit.

Marci English, Senior Vice President, Biopharma and Ophthalmology Development, Astellas Pharma
"Astellas continues to advance understanding of geographic atrophy (GA) through new data that deepen insights into disease progression and treatment. We are committed to partnering with the retina community to continue driving innovation that improves outcomes for patients with GA."

Overview of Astellas Presentations at AAO 2025

IZERVAY is approved for the treatment of GA in the United States and Japan, and remains investigational in other countries and regions.

About IZERVAY™ (avacincaptad pegol intravitreal solution)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND USE

Do NOT receive IZERVAY if you: 

• Have an infection in or around your eye 
• Have active swelling in or around your eye that may include pain and redness 

IZERVAY can cause serious side effects: 

• Eye injections like the one for IZERVAY can cause an eye infection (endophthalmitis) or separation of layers of the retina (retinal detachment). 
• Call your healthcare provider right away if you have redness of the eye, eye pain, increased discomfort, worsening eye redness, blurred or decreased vision, an increased number of small specks floating in your vision, flashes of light, or increased sensitivity to light. 
• There is a risk of developing wet AMD with IZERVAY. You should report any symptoms (visual distortions such as straight lines seeming bent, deterioration in vision, dark spots, loss of central vision) to your healthcare provider to monitor. 
• IZERVAY may cause a temporary increase in eye pressure after the injection. Your healthcare provider will monitor this after each injection. 

Before receiving IZERVAY tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions including if you: 

• Have a history of seeing flashes of light or small specks floating in your vision and if you have a sudden increase of size and number of these specks. 
• Have high pressure in the eye or if you have glaucoma. 
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. 
• Are taking any medications, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Tell your healthcare provider about any medicine you take. 

What should I avoid while receiving IZERVAY? 

• Your vision may be impaired after receiving an eye injection or after an eye exam. Do not drive or use machinery until your vision has recovered sufficiently. 

What are the most common side effects of IZERVAY? 

• Blood in the white of the eye 
• Increase in eye pressure 
• Blurred vision 
• Wet age-related macular degeneration 

These are not all the possible side effects of IZERVAY. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing Information for more information.

What is IZERVAY™?
IZERVAY (avacincaptad pegol intravitreal solution) is a prescription eye injection, used to treat geographic atrophy (GA), the advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 

About Geographic Atrophy
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the major cause of moderate and severe loss of central vision in aging adults, affecting both eyes in the majority of patients. The macula is a small area in the central portion of the retina responsible for central vision. As AMD progresses, the loss of retinal cells and the underlying blood vessels in the macula results in marked thinning and/or atrophy of retinal tissue. Geographic atrophy, associated with AMD, leads to further irreversible loss of vision in these patients.

About the GATHER Clinical Trials
IZERVAY met its primary endpoint in the GATHER1 (NCT02686658) clinical trial and the GATHER2 (NCT04435366) clinical trial, both of which were randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled, multicenter Phase 3 clinical trials. These trials evaluated the safety and efficacy of monthly 2 mg intravitreal administration of IZERVAY in patients with GA secondary to AMD. For the first 12 months in both trials, patients were randomized to receive either IZERVAY 2 mg or sham monthly. There were 286 participants enrolled in GATHER1 and 448 participants enrolled in GATHER2. The primary efficacy endpoints in both pivotal studies were based on GA area measured by fundus autofluorescence at three time points: baseline, month 6, and month 12. Safety was evaluated in over 700 patients with GA across the two trials.

In year 2 of the GATHER2 study, patients treated with IZERVAY in year 1 were re-randomized to receive either IZERVAY dosed monthly (EM, n=96) or every other month (EOM, n=93); patients who received sham in year 1 continued to receive sham in year 2 (n=203).

About Astellas
Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need. Learn more at www.astellas.com.

Cautionary Notes
In this press release, statements made with respect to current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Astellas. These statements are based on management's current assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general economic conditions and in laws and regulations, relating to pharmaceutical markets, (ii) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii) delays in new product launches, (iv) the inability of Astellas to market existing and new products effectively, (v) the inability of Astellas to continue to effectively research and develop products accepted by customers in highly competitive markets, and (vi) infringements of Astellas' intellectual property rights by third parties. Information about pharmaceutical products (including products currently in development) which is included in this press release is not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice.

SOURCE Astellas Pharma Inc.