RWC 2025: Update on the VERONA trial for diabetic macula edema

Carl D. Regillo, MD, Director of the Retina Service at Wills Eye Hospital and partner at Mid Atlantic Retina, met with Modern Retina at the 2025 Retina World Congress meeting held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He discussed the VERONA study and its implications for ophthalmology. The study focused on EYP-1901, a novel treatment for center-involved diabetic macular edema (DME) with decreased vision. This innovative therapy involves varolanib packaged in a bio-erodible polymer and administered via intravitreal injection. The results were notably promising, outperforming aflibercept in both vision improvement and disease control. Key highlights of the study include:

• Exceptional durability, with most patients not requiring supplemental anti-VEGF therapy for 6 months
• Notable performance compared to a single dose of aflibercept
• Potential to address current limitations in retinal treatment

Regillo emphasized the broader significance of clinical trials in ophthalmology, noting that collaborative efforts with industry have driven substantial progress in therapeutics over recent decades. Despite these advancements, significant challenges remain in the field. Current limitations in retinal treatments include:

• Unmet medical needs
• Suboptimal treatment responses for some conditions
• High patient treatment burdens
• Challenges in maintaining consistent patient engagement

The study represents a promising step toward addressing these challenges by potentially:

• Reducing treatment frequency
• Improving patient outcomes
• Minimizing the logistical challenges of frequent medical visits

Regillo's perspective on the trajectory of ophthalmology is fundamentally optimistic. He views the ongoing research as a critical pathway to enhancing patient care, particularly for sight-threatening diseases like wet AMD and diabetic retinopathy. The conversation underscores the dynamic nature of ophthalmological research, highlighting how innovative approaches and persistent scientific exploration can progressively improve medical treatments and patient experiences.