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MingMed Biotechnology Shows Promise with QA102 for AMD

MingMed Biotechnology Co., Ltd. recently unveiled encouraging Phase II clinical trial results for their novel oral compound, QA102, aimed at treating intermediate stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at the 2026 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting, held in Denver, Colorado.

Age-related macular degeneration is a chronic, progressive disease affecting the retina, and it is characterized by the presence of large drusen and pigmentary changes. AMD poses a significant risk of advancing to more severe forms of the disease, which can lead to irreversible blindness. Currently, about 7% of Americans aged 65 and older are affected by this condition.

The Phase II clinical study, designated QA102-CS201, was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted with 150 participants who had intermediate atrophic AMD. These participants were randomly assigned to receive either 200 or 400 mg of QA102 or a placebo twice daily for up to 15 months. Following 12 months of treatment, the average change in drusen volume in the 400 mg QA102 group was found to be reduced by 59.2% compared to the placebo group.

While the primary endpoint did not show a statistically significant difference between the treatment and placebo groups, interestingly, the drusen growth rate was reduced by 118.2% in the 400 mg group compared to the placebo (p = 0.017). Furthermore, the growth rate of the square-root transformed geographic atrophy area was also decreased by 42.7% (p = 0.026). Overall, these findings suggest that QA102 has the potential to slow the progression of intermediate dry AMD while maintaining an acceptable safety profile (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05536752).

Dr. Scott Whitcup, a specialist in ocular drug development, remarked, "Intermediate AMD represents the most common stage of the disease and remains an area with significant unmet medical needs due to a shortage of therapies that can slow or prevent its progression." Dr. Sunil Patel, one of the lead investigators, expressed optimism over the Phase II data, stating, "These results are very encouraging for the millions suffering from intermediate or advanced forms of dry age-related macular degeneration."

Dr. Fred Ouyang, Chief Technology Officer at MingMed Biotechnology, stated, "We are thrilled to present these compelling Phase II results to the global ophthalmology community at ARVO. QA102 stands out as a first-in-class oral therapy for atrophic AMD and is the first drug candidate to show efficacy signals in intermediate dry AMD. We look forward to advancing QA102 into the next phase of clinical development."

MingMed Biotechnology also oversees its affiliate, Smilebiotek Zhuhai Limited, focused on developing first-in-class products for ophthalmic applications. The company is working on two innovative drug candidates for atrophic AMD, including QA102, a new chemical entity (NCE), and QA108, a formulation derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

As the prevalence of AMD continues to rise, particularly in the aging population, the development of effective treatments like QA102 is crucial. MingMed's ongoing research holds the promise of altering the course of this sight-threatening condition and helping countless individuals maintain their vision and quality of life.

In conclusion, the positive results from the QA102 clinical trials not only showcase potential therapeutic benefits for patients but also illuminate the commitment of MingMed Biotechnology to innovate in the field of ophthalmology. The next steps will be critical in moving this promising treatment closer to becoming a viable option for those battling the debilitating effects of AMD.