Safety and early effectiveness study of VG801 subretinal injection in patients with ABCA4 mutation-associated retinal dystrophy

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What is this study about?

This study focuses on patients with ABCA4 Mutation-Associated Retinal Dystrophy, which is an inherited eye disease that causes progressive vision loss due to damage to the light-sensing cells in the retina. The study will test a new experimental treatment called VG801, which is given as a single injection underneath the retina (through subretinal injection).

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the safety of VG801 and to see if it might help improve vision in people with this genetic eye condition. The treatment being studied is a sterile solution that contains two active components: VG801-1 and VG801-2. During the study, participants will receive the treatment in one eye and will be monitored through various eye examinations and tests.

Throughout the study, doctors will perform regular eye examinations using special imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography to look at the retina in detail. They will also test vision using standard eye charts and measure how well participants can see in different lighting conditions. Additionally, participants will complete a special test using virtual reality to assess their ability to move around in their environment.

1 Initial eye examination and preparation

Your eye will be examined to ensure clear ocular media and proper pupil dilation

You will receive guidance on protecting your eyes from sunlight using a hat, UV-absorbing sunglasses, and sunscreen (SPF 30 minimum)

Basic health tests including blood work, urine analysis, and pregnancy test will be conducted

2 Treatment administration

You will receive VG801 medication as a single injection under the retina (subretinal injection)

The procedure will be performed on one eye only (study eye)

The eye chosen for treatment must have vision not better than 20/60

3 Post-treatment monitoring

Regular eye examinations will be conducted using specialized equipment

Tests will include: visual acuity measurements, eye pressure checks, and detailed pictures of your retina

Samples of blood, tears, and saliva will be collected to monitor treatment effects

Your ability to see contrast and move in different lighting conditions will be evaluated

A special virtual reality test will assess your mobility function

4 Long-term follow-up

The study continues until December 31, 2026

Regular monitoring of eye health and vision changes will continue throughout the study period

Testing will track any changes in retinal structure and function

Your immune system response to the treatment will be monitored

Who Can Join the Study?

  • Must provide written consent to participate in the study
  • Must be 6 years of age or older
  • Must have confirmed ABCA4 genetic mutations (tested in a certified laboratory)
  • Must have visible changes in the macula (the central part of the retina) that match with retinal disease
  • Vision in the study eye must be worse than 20/60 (meaning you must see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision sees at 60 feet)
  • Must have detectable outer nuclear layer (a specific layer of the retina) thickness in the macula, measured by special eye imaging called OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)
  • The study eye must have:
    • Clear eye tissue that light can pass through
    • Ability to dilate properly
    • No allergies to eye dilation drops
    • Ability to focus steadily for eye imaging
  • Must have a negative pregnancy test if applicable
  • Must be willing to protect against sun exposure by using:
    • Hat
    • UV-protective sunglasses
    • Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)

Who Cannot Join the Study?

  • Currently participating in another clinical trial or received an investigational drug within 30 days before this study
  • History of any eye surgery in the study eye within 3 months before the trial
  • Presence of active eye inflammation (swelling or infection in the eye)
  • Uncontrolled glaucoma (high pressure inside the eye)
  • Presence of cataracts (clouding of the natural lens) that could interfere with vision testing
  • History of retinal detachment (separation of the light-sensitive layer of the eye)
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • Known allergies to the study medication or its components
  • Serious medical conditions that could interfere with study participation
  • Unable to comply with study visits and procedures
  • History of drug or alcohol abuse within the past year
  • Mental conditions that could affect ability to provide informed consent
  • Blood clotting disorders or use of blood thinners that cannot be safely stopped
  • Active eye infection or inflammation

Where you can join this trial?

Verified and Recommended Sites

No sites found in this category

Verified Sites

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Other Sites

Site Name City Country Status
Justus-Liebig-Universitaet Giessen Giessen Germany
Kccsfrtm dvd Urndncvrkijb Moskghqi Aqj Munich Germany

Want to learn more about this study or check if you can participate? Contact us.

Trial status

Country Status Recruitment Start
Germany Germany
Not yet recruiting
01.09.2025

Trial locations

Investigated drugs:

VG801 is a gene therapy product that is administered through subretinal injection (injection under the retina of the eye). This experimental treatment is designed for patients who have retinal dystrophy caused by mutations in both copies of the ABCA4 gene. The therapy aims to treat this inherited eye condition that causes progressive vision loss. The treatment is given directly into the eye to potentially help improve or stabilize vision in affected patients.

Biallelic ABCA4 Mutation-Associated Retinal Dystrophy – A genetic eye disorder caused by mutations in both copies of the ABCA4 gene. This condition leads to progressive degeneration of the retina, particularly affecting the light-sensitive cells in the macula area of the eye. The disease typically begins in childhood or young adulthood, causing gradual deterioration of central vision and color perception. People with this condition may experience increasing difficulty with detailed tasks like reading or recognizing faces. The disorder also causes sensitivity to light and delayed adjustment to changes in lighting conditions.

Trial ID:
2024-520425-37-00
Protocol code:
VG801-2022A-EU-37-00
Trial Phase:
Phase I and Phase II (Integrated) – First administration to humans

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