Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in individuals over age 50 and can result in irreversible blindness¹. Two subtypes of AMD have been identified based on clinical development and pathology: non-neovascular (dry, nonexudative) AMD and neovascular (wet, exudative) AMD (nAMD). Non-neovascular AMD develops slowly and with characteristically mild vision impairment compared to nAMD but may develop into nAMD with advancing disease progression in some patients². nAMD or “wet” AMD (wAMD) is an advanced form of the disease that can cause rapid and severe vision loss.Pathological growth of abnormal vessels in the choroid (a part of the eye containing blood vessels that nourish the eye) is a hallmark of nAMD, and is accompanied by loss of normal choroidal barrier function, resulting in leakage of fluids within the retina which can lead to hemorrhage and ultimately degeneration of the retinal macula³. Currently, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies have significantly changed the landscape for the treatment of nAMD. However, these therapies have short half-lives, which necessitates life-long monthly or bimonthly repeated intraocular injections to maintain efficacy. Additionally, persistent fluid or recurrent exudation still occurs despite standardize anti-VEGF therapy.

 Nearly 50 million people over the age of 60 worldwide are living with nAMD but only 16,000,000 people worldwide with the treatment rate as 50-85%^4, and there are about 4,000,000 people suffering nAMD in China.