Industry Has Eye For Ophthalmic Uses Of Angiogenesis Inhibitors

New approaches to controlling blood vessel overgrowth, pioneered in oncology, are transforming retinopathy research. Two of the most advanced agents, Pfizer/Eyetech's Macugen and Genentech's Lucentis, block VEGF activity, while Alcon's Phase III candidate Retaane acts later in the angiogenic cascade. Small interfering RNA and gene therapy would work earlier, stopping production of angiogenic factors.