Retina International was proud to participate in the European Medicines Agency European Medicines Regulatory Network workshop on Geographic Atrophy (GA) endpoints that took place this week.
The workshop brought together regulators, clinicians, researchers, industry and patient representatives to discuss an important question: how do we measure treatment benefit in Geographic Atrophy in ways that truly matter to patients?
As treatments for Geographic Atrophy continue to develop, these conversations are becoming increasingly important, not just for medicine development, but for ensuring patient experience is reflected in how success is defined.
We were especially pleased to see strong patient representation throughout the programme, with Retina International and our members contributing across multiple sessions.
The day began with our CEO Avril Daly delivering the Opening Statement on Patient Perspective, helping centre the discussion around the real-life impact of Geographic Atrophy on patients and families.
Retina International contributors also took part across multiple significant discussions:
Session 1: Potential primary visual functional endpoints for GA pivotal trials: microperimetry, reading speed
Nabin Paudel from Retina International joined discussions on how visual function can be measured in ways that reflect meaningful patient outcomes.
Session 2: Potential primary visual functional endpoints for GA pivotal trials (visual acuity-based and contrast-based outcomes), enrichment and extrapolation
RI Chair Franz Badura contributed to discussions on visual acuity and contrast sensitivity as important treatment measures.
Session 3: Imaging endpoints, current methods, relationship with histology and retinal function
RI CEO Avril Daly contributed to discussions on how retinal imaging can support treatment assessment and understanding disease progression.
Session 4: Patient-reported outcomes (PRO), quality of life (QoL) measures, safety outcomes
RI member Alba Perez (Federation of Associations of Hereditary Retinal Dystrophies (FARPE)) contributed to conversations on quality of life, treatment burden and patient-reported experience.
Session 5: Emerging functional vision endpoints/forward look
RI Member Inga Britt (The Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted) contributed to discussions on future directions in functional vision measurement.
It was encouraging to see patient voice embedded across the day’s discussions, and we are proud to have contributed to shaping conversations that will help inform the future of Geographic Atrophy treatment development.
Outputs from the workshop will be published by the EMA in the coming weeks, and we look forward to sharing updates and key takeaways once available.
