Experimental eye drug maintains vision gains with longer treatment gaps

Two experimental medicines improved vision in people with wet age-related macular degeneration, meeting the main goal of a late-stage trial against an established treatment, according to results announced by developer Kodiak Sciences.

In the phase 3 DAYBREAK study, Zenkuda and a second candidate, KSI-501, each achieved vision gains judged comparable to those with aflibercept, sold as Eylea, after one year.

Zenkuda also showed potential to reduce treatment frequency. After four initial monthly doses, patients received treatment at individually adjusted intervals of four to 24 weeks, guided by the presence of fluid in the retina. More than half were maintained on a 24-week dosing schedule through year one. Patients in the aflibercept group received treatment every eight weeks.

Those longer intervals could mean fewer treatment visits for some patients while maintaining the vision benefits seen in this study. The findings remain preliminary, however: they come from a company announcement, and detailed trial comparisons have not yet been shared.

Kodiak plans to apply for US Food and Drug Administration approval of Zenkuda in the fourth quarter of 2026. The application would draw on five phase 3 studies covering wet AMD and two other retinal conditions. Both medicines remain investigational.