Fueling Breakthroughs: Your Support Drives Vision Research

Every clinical trial is a step closer to life-changing treatments for those facing vision loss. The Retina Research Foundation of America is actively funding and supporting groundbreaking research in retinal diseases, from gene therapies to innovative drug treatments.

✨ Your donation helps fund these vital clinical trials, bringing new hope to patients and accelerating the development of treatments that can preserve and restore sight. Together, we can turn research into reality.

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Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

Clinical Trials:

GA - Non-Foveal Involving
GA - Foveal Involving
GA - Foveal & Non-foveal Involving
nAMD - Treatment Naive
nAMD - Non-treatment Naive & Treatment Naive
nAMD - Non-treatment Naive
Uveitis

Glossary of Terms & Abbreviations

AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration): A progressive eye disease that affects the central portion of the retina, leading to vision loss over time.

CST (Central Subfield Thickness): A measurement of retinal swelling, used to determine treatment effectiveness.

Foveal Involving: This means that the atrophy or damage has reached the fovea, causing significant central vision loss. Patients with Foveal Involving GA often struggle with activities requiring fine detail, such as reading and recognizing faces. Treatments targeting this condition aim to slow progression and preserve remaining vision.

GA (Geographic Atrophy): An advanced stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that leads to vision loss due to the breakdown of retinal cells.

IVT (Intravitreal Injection): A treatment method where medication is injected into the vitreous (gel-like substance) of the eye.

Naïve (Treatment-Naïve): A term used in clinical trials to describe patients who have never received treatment for their condition before.

nAMD (Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration): A form of AMD where abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina, leading to rapid vision loss.

Non-Foveal Involving: This refers to Geographic Atrophy (GA) or other retinal diseases where the affected areas are outside the fovea, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. Patients may retain central vision but experience blind spots or peripheral vision difficulties as the disease progresses.

PDS (Port Delivery System): A long-lasting implantable drug reservoir designed to release medication over time, reducing the need for frequent injections.

SC (Subcutaneous Injection): A shot administered under the skin instead of directly into the eye.

Subretinal Injection: A gene therapy technique where medication is delivered under the retina.

Uveitis: A condition causing inflammation inside the eye, which can lead to vision loss if untreated.

VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor): A protein that contributes to abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina, often treated with anti-VEGF drugs.

GA - Non-Foveal Involving

  • Timing: Coming soon in March 2025!
    Location: Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info: 13 visits, 1 Yr, $TBD

    • BID oral pill; 50mg/10 mg BI1584862 | placebo

    • Lesion size 1.25-12 mm2. Non foveal involving; must be within 1500 μm from foveal center.

    • VA 20/100 or better; >55yo

    • <6 previous treatments for GA within last 12 months OK with washout.

  • This study evaluates an oral treatment option that could slow the progression of GA before it reaches the fovea, potentially preserving vision longer.

  • Supports research, trial costs, and patient accessibility to new treatments.

  • Location: Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info:     12 visits, 2 Yrs, $100/visit

    • Daily subcutaneous injections of active medication vs placebo (2:1)

    • Option for open label extension after 96 wks

    • Lesion size 0.50-10.16 mm2. Non foveal involving; lesions must be at least 150 μm from foveal center.

    • VA 20/80 or better, >55yo

    • No anti-VEGF in study eye within 2mo of baseline. No Izervay/Syfovre in study eye within 6mo of baseline.

  • This study investigates a drug designed to improve mitochondrial function in retinal cells, which could slow the degeneration associated with GA.

  • Helps fund medication production, patient monitoring, and long-term study extensions.

  • Location: Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info:     12 visits, 3 Yrs, $78/visit

    • Q4w subcutaneous injections

    • Pozelimab + cemdisiran combination therapy, cemdisiran monotherapy, or placebo (1:1:1)

    • Option for open label extension after 104 wks

    • Lesion size 2.5 -17.5 mm2. Non foveal involving; GA lesion within 1500 μm of foveal center.

    • VA 20/200 or better, >50yo

    • No Izervay/Syfovre in study eye within 6mo of baseline.

  • Tests a combination therapy that may help regulate the immune response contributing to GA progression.

  • Helps finance trial execution, research on immune-modulating therapies, and patient participation.

  • Location: Gilbert & Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info:     20 visits, 2 Yrs, $TBD

    • ONL1204 100μg | ONL 1204 200μg | Izervay | sham

    • Lesion size 2-20 mm2. Non foveal involving; must be at least 1725 μm from foveal center.

    • VA 20/320 or better, >55yo

    • No Izervay/Syfovre in either eye within 3 months of screening.

  • This study focuses on a therapy aimed at protecting retinal cells from further damage and reducing GA progression.

  • Contributes to laboratory research, clinical trial execution, and access to novel therapies.

GA - Foveal Involving

  • Timing: On Hold
    Location: Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info:     9 visits, 15 Mos, $100/visit

    • One time sub-retinal injection. Foveal involving.

    • Lesion size 2-20.5 mm2 (1 to 8 DA); Multifocal GA: at least one lesion >1.25 mm2 (0.5 DA).

    • VA 20/320 or better, >50yo

    • No Izervay/Syfovre in either eye within 3 months

  • Investigates the use of gene therapy to address genetic causes of GA, potentially preventing further vision loss.

  • Funds genetic research, patient treatment costs, and long-term data collection.

GA - Foveal & Non-Foveal Involving

  • Location: Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info:     11 visits, 2 Yrs, $75/visit

    • 67% active medication | 33% placebo

    • Lesion size 0.5-10 mm2. Foveal and non foveal involving.

    • Central GA: VA 20/80 or better | Non-central GA: VA 20/100 or better; 60-85yo

    • No IVT of any kind in either eye w/in 3 months

  • Evaluates an oral medication that aims to reduce toxic vitamin A buildup, a factor in GA progression.

  • Supports medication development, trial monitoring, and participant recruitment.

  • Timing: Coming soon!

    Location: Gilbert & Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info:     17 visits, 1 Yr, $TBD

    • BI1771716 15mg q4w | BI1771716 15mg q8w | Syfovre q4w (1:1:1)

    • Lesion size 2.5-17.5 mm2.

    • VA 20/320 or better, >50y/o. Foveal involving (until cap reached) or non foveal involving

    • nAMD in fellow eye ok until cap reached.

    • No previous tx for GA within 4 months of screening.

  • Aims to compare different dosing regimens of BI771716 with standard GA treatments to optimize effectiveness.

  • Helps finance comparative studies, drug production, and accessibility for trial participants.

nAMD - Treatment Naïve

  • Location: Gilbert & Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info:     27 visits, 2 Yrs, $100/visit

    • Treatment naive

    • Tarcocimab-ted | Tabirafusp-ted | Aflibercept (1:1:1)

    • VA 20/320 - 20/32, >50y/o

    • CST <900 in study eye at screening and baseline

  • Tests a novel anti-VEGF therapy that could improve treatment options for newly diagnosed patients with nAMD.

  • Funds innovative biologic treatments, patient participation costs, and data analysis.

nAMD - Non-treatment Naïve & Treatment Naïve

  • Location: Gilbert & Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info:     26 visits, 2 Yrs, ~$100/visit

    • Treatment naive OR previous diagnosis at any time prior to screening w/at least 2 anti-VEGF w/in 6mos

    • Vorolanib IVT implant + Aflibercept | Aflibercept (1:1)

    • VA 20/200 - 20/32, >50y/o

    • CST ≤500 in study eye at screening

  • Investigates an implantable treatment that may offer extended disease control with fewer injections.

  • Supports implant research, trial patient compensation, and regulatory review.

  • Location: Gilbert & Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info:     16 visits, 1 Yr, $75/visit

    • Treatment naive OR diagnosis within 4 months with 1-3 previous treatments

    • Comparing Axitinib intravitreal implant to 1 Aflibercept injection

    • 50% active medication | 50% comparator (1 Aflibercept then watch until tx required)

    • VA 20/200 or better, >50y/o

    • CST ≤350 in study eye

  • Compares a new sustained-release drug implant with existing standard treatments to potentially extend treatment intervals.

  • Helps fund development of sustained drug delivery systems and clinical trial management.

  • Timing: Coming soon!

    Location: Gilbert & Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info:     20 visits, 1.5 Yr, $TBD

    • Treatment naive OR diagnosis within 12 months with no more than 3 prior treatments

    • AR-14034 mid dose | AR-14034 high dose | Aflibercept (2:2:1)

    • VA 20/200 - 20/25, >50y/o

    • CST 300-400 in study eye

  • Investigates the effectiveness of a novel treatment for nAMD, comparing different dosages to find the optimal approach.

  • Supports dose-response research, trial costs, and patient education programs.

  • Location: Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info:     27 visits, 2 Yrs, $83/visit

    • Treatment naive OR diagnosis within 9 months with at least 2 treatments

    • Comparing Zifancimig PDS implant to Ranibizumab PDS

    • 67% active medication | 30% comparator (ranibizumab)

    • VA 20/200 - 20/25, >50y/o

  • Evaluates an innovative drug delivery system that could replace frequent anti-VEGF injections.

  • Contributes to implantable drug research, patient reimbursement, and expanded study enrollment.

  • Timing: Coming soon March 2025

    Location: Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info:     30 visits, 2 Yrs, $TBD

    • Treatment naive OR non treatment naive.

    • Aflibercept q8w | Single dose Ixo-vec (with supplemental Aflibercept, as required)

    • VA 20/200 - 20/32, >50yo

    • No anti-VEGF in study eye w/in 28 days prior to screen

  • Examines a single-dose gene therapy designed to provide long-lasting control of nAMD without frequent injections.

  • Helps fund gene therapy trials, long-term patient monitoring, and approval processes.

nAMD - Non-treatment Naïve

  • Location: Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info:     25 visits, 5 Yrs, $60/visit

    • Non treatment naive: must have received ≥3 injections of anti-VEGF w/in 32 wks prior to scrn

    • Aflibercept + single dose SAR402663 IVT (with supplemental Aflibercept, as required)

    • VA 20/400 - 20/32, 50-90yo

    • CST ≥300

    • No anti-VEGF tx in fellow eye w/in 4mo prior to screening

  • Investigates gene therapy as a potential long-term treatment solution for patients who have already undergone prior anti-VEGF therapy.

  • Supports gene-based treatments, research for long-term efficacy, and participant costs.

  • Location: Phoenix, AZ
    Patient Stipend Info:     22 visits, 2 Yrs, $27/visit

    • QD active oral pill vs. placebo (1:1). Options to transition to open label.

    • Active NIU (intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis), >18yo

    • VA ≥20 letters

  • Tests a new oral treatment for uveitis that could provide an alternative to injections and reduce inflammation more effectively.

  • Helps fund patient access, clinical trial execution, and new anti-inflammatory treatment development.

Uveitis