Posterior Juxtascleral Depot Administration of Anecortave Acetate

Abstract Objective To develop a safe and effective transcleral delivery of anecortave acetate, a novel angiostatic cortisene, in therapeutic concentrations to the choroid and retina in the region of the macula in patients with age related macular degeneration. Methods In pre-clinical studies with rabbits and monkeys, several routes of delivery were studied including oral and other systemic routes as well as topical, subconjunctival, intravitreal injections and posterior juxtascleral administration. In addition, posterior juxtascleral depot administration using a specially designed blunt cannula was evaluated in humans. Results Oral and other systemic routes were not acceptable due to rapid systemic metabolism. Topical and subconjunctival administrations resulted in subtherapeutic concentrations in the macular region (