Ashvattha Therapeutics secured up to $50 million in extended Series B funding, led by Tribe Capital with continued support from existing investors led by Natural Capital. This funding will propel Ashvattha’s ongoing Phase 2 ophthalmology and Phase 1/2 neuroinflammation trials for its hydroxyl dendrimer therapeutic (HDT) platform. The company’s lead candidate, migaldendranib (MGB), a subcutaneous injection for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME), has shown promising interim Phase 2 results, significantly reducing the need for supplemental aflibercept injections.
This development is particularly noteworthy due to the potential of MGB to address a significant unmet need in wet AMD and DME treatment. Current treatment options require frequent intravitreal injections, which pose a substantial burden on patients, especially those with bilateral disease. MGB’s subcutaneous administration, coupled with its efficacy in reducing the frequency of supplemental injections, could significantly improve patient compliance and quality of life, potentially shifting the treatment paradigm for these prevalent eye diseases.
Interim Phase 2 trial data indicates a substantial reduction in required supplemental aflibercept injections after 24 weeks for patients receiving MGB every 2 or 4 weeks, following an initial aflibercept injection. The data also suggests sustained visual acuity and reduced subretinal fluid with a positive safety profile. These findings will be presented at the Angiogenesis 2025 meeting. Importantly, MGB’s systemic administration offers a distinct advantage in treating bilateral disease, a common occurrence in wet AMD and DME, simplifying treatment compared to current localized injection approaches.
This funding and the positive interim data mark a significant step forward for Ashvattha and its HDT platform. The successful completion of these trials could pave the way for a more patient-friendly and potentially cost-effective treatment option for wet AMD and DME, addressing a large market with significant unmet needs. This advancement also positions Ashvattha’s HDT platform for broader application in other inflammatory diseases, underscoring the potential long-term impact of this technology.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
