News and Events

Leveraging Siglec Receptors to Repolarize Macrophages for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy

How moving beyond complement targets may lead to true maintenance of vision and greater reduction in GA lesion growth rates.

This week, Aviceda Therapeutics participated in a virtual fireside chat with Truist about the dynamics in the marketplace for geographic atrophy. Watch the interview here.

Aviceda Therapeutics Announces First Patient Dosed in Part 2 of the Phase 2/3 SIGLEC Clinical Trial Assessing AVD-104 for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy

Part 2 of the Phase 2/3 SIGLEC clinical trial is designed and powered to serve as the first pivotal trial to support approval of AVD-104 in geographic atrophy.

Part 2 of SIGLEC is expected to enroll approximately 300 patients who will be randomly assigned to two arms of AVD-104 or active comparator (avacincaptad pegol) and will be assessed at 12 months.

Aviceda: The Pioneers in Glycotherapeutics

Macular Degeneration is a serious concern among older adults worldwide. It is a progressive eye disorder that affects a person’s central vision. Age–related macular degeneration (AMD) though unique in many ways, is prototypical of a disease of inflammed aging (Inflammaging). The most common cause of the disease is immune aging, that is age–related dysfunction of the immune system.

Aviceda Therapeutics Announces Topline Data from Part 1 of the Phase 2/3 SIGLEC Clinical Trial for AVD-104, Demonstrating Positive Safety and Early Clinical Efficacy in Patients with Geographic Atrophy

AVD-104 was well-tolerated in all patients, with no drug-related ocular or systemic serious adverse events detected.

Substantial slowing of GA lesion growth was observed, and a majority of study subjects showed functional improvement that was sustained at 3 months after a single injection of AVD-104.

Data supports the initiation of Part 2 of the Phase 2/3 SIGLEC trial, an active-comparator study that may serve as a first pivotal trial to support the approval of AVD-104 in geographic atrophy

Aviceda Therapeutics enrolls the first patient in GLYCO Phase 2 of AVD-104 for DME

This trial is a multi-center, open-label safety and tolerability study enrolling 30 patients to evaluate a low and high dose of AVD-104 with 3-month follow-up.

Aviceda Announces First Patient Enrolled in Phase 2 GLYCO Clinical Trial Evaluating AVD-104 for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

AVD-104 is an engineered glycan (sialic acid) nanoparticle that reduces inflammation by targeting the self-pattern recognition receptors on overly activated retinal neutrophils, macrophages, and microglia, and repolarizing them to their resolution state.

Aviceda is advancing the development of AVD-104, a Novel Glyco-Mimetic Nanoparticle, for the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema as an indication expansion in addition to Geographic Atrophy (lead indication); AVD-104 is currently enrolling patients with GA in the SIGLEC Phase 2/3 Trial.

A multi-center, multi-dose, open-label safety and tolerability study will enroll 30 patients to evaluate a low and high dose of AVD-104, with topline results expected in Q2 2024.

VIDEO: AAO 2023: AVD-104 and the results of the phase II/III part 1 SIGLEC trial

Mohamed Genead, MD, CEO of Aviceda spoke with the Ophthalmology Times team about the company's Phase II/III SIGLEC trial part 1 results, which were shared at this year's American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.

VIDEO: Mike Tolentino Presentation at GDS meeting November 29

GDS Group runs international conferences and summits that draw together the best minds across different business sectors.

VIDEO: Mohamed Genead Eyewire TV interview at Eyecelerator meeting at American Academy of Ophthalmology October 2023

VIDEO: AVD-104 shows stability, GA lesion size reduction in phase 2/3 trial

In this Healio Video Perspective from Eyecelerator@AAO, Mohamed Genead, MD, CEO of Aviceda Therapeutics, discusses a trial investigating AVD-104 for geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

“Aviceda Therapeutics is proud to partner with Queen’s University Belfast and applauds the publication of their research highlighting the dramatic improvements in the quality of cancer research and outcomes thanks to the transatlantic collaboration fostered by the Good Friday Agreement.”

Aviceda Therapeutics Inc.: Glyco-immuno Therapeutics, The Next Bio-pharmaceutical Frontier

Mohamed Genead, MBA, MD, CEO & Co-Founder and Michael Tolentino, MD, CTO & Co-Founder

Aviceda Completes Enrollment in Part 1 of the SIGLEC Phase 2/3 U.S. Clinical Trial; Initiation of Part 2 Imminent

Advancing the Development of AVD-104, a Novel Glyco-Mimetic Nanoparticle for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy from Macular Degeneration

Michael Tolentino MD - A visionary entrepreneur transforming medicine

In the world of biotechnology and medical research, there are those who follow established paths, and then there are visionaries who forge new frontiers. Michael Tolentino, a name synonymous with innovation and groundbreaking discoveries, falls into the latter category. From his early days as a child immersed in his father’s pioneering work at Harvard Medical School to his current role as the founder of multiple cutting-edge companies, Tolentino’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable.

Aviceda Announces AVD-104, a Novel Glycomimetic Nanoparticle, Demonstrates Continued Clinical Safety in the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Macular Degeneration

Positive Data Presented at Recent European Congress; Additional Forthcoming Data to be Presented at US Healthcare Conference.

Aviceda To Present at Major European Healthcare Conferences Highlighting AVD-104, a Novel Glyco-Mimetic Nanoparticle for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy from Macular Degeneration

Panel and Podium Presentations at Ophthalmology Futures Forum, EURETINA Innovation Spotlight, and EURETINA Annual Congress

VIDEO: Expert explains sialic acid-coated nanoparticle for geographic atrophy

In this Healio Video Perspective from the ASRS annual meeting, Tarek S. Hassan, MD, discusses a novel treatment paradigm under investigation for geographic atrophy and dry age-related macular degeneration.

ASRS 2023: Insights on AVD-104, a sialic-acid coated nanoparticle therapeutic for geographic atrophy

Carl Regillo, MD, FACS, FASRS, spoke with our team following the annual ASRS meeting in Seattle, Washington to share insights from his presentation titled, "Modulation of Macrophages and Complement Dysfunction in Non-exudative AMD utilizing novel, sialic-acid coated nanoparticles." Aviceda Therapeutics is unlocking the proteogenomic code of AMD to target proteins and pathways linked to macular degeneration.

ASRS 2023: Insights on Aviceda AVD-104 for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy from Macular Degeneration

Tarek Hassan, MD, spoke with our team about a novel glyco-mimetic nanoparticle, Aviceda AVD-104, being developed for the treatment of geographic atrophy.

Aviceda Announces Podium Presentations on AVD-104, a Novel Glyco-Mimetic Nanoparticle for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy from Macular Degeneration, at American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) and the OIS Retina Innovation Summit Meetings

Aviceda Therapeutics, a private late clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing next generation immuno-modulators by harnessing the power of glycobiology to alleviate chronic non-resolving inflammation, announces upcoming presentations about its lead ophthalmic clinical asset, AVD-104, a novel glycan-coated nanoparticle for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Clinical Trials at the Summit 2023: Is glycoimmunology the next-generation treatment paradigm for GA?

Tarek S. Hassan, MD, FASRS, provides an update on glycoimmunology as a next-generation treatment paradigm for geographic atrophy.

Aviceda Therapeutics is excited to participate in the Clinical Trials at the Summit (CTS) 2023 Meeting in Park City, Utah. Saturday, June 10, 2023!

Aviceda doses first patient with AVD-104 in phase 2 study for GA

Aviceda Therapeutics has dosed the first patient in a phase 2 trial assessing its lead intravitreal ocular asset AVD-104 for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Aviceda Announces Dosing of First Patient With AVD-104, a Novel Glyco-Mimetic Nanoparticle for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy from Macular Degeneration, in the Phase 2 SIGLEC Trial

Aviceda Therapeutics, a private clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing next generation immuno-modulators by harnessing the power of glycobiology to alleviate chronic, non-resolving inflammation, announced the dosing of its first patient with AVD-104 in its Phase 2 SIGLEC Trial today by Ashkan Abbey, MD of Texas Retina Associates in Dallas.

Michael Tolentino (MD): Renowned Biotechnology Entrepreneur, Drug Inventor and Retinal Surgeon.

Michael Tolentino’s expertise in the fields of retinal diseases and biotechnology has led him to play a crucial role in the development of several commercially available therapeutics for retinal diseases. He has demonstrated the importance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, which formed the basis for the development of several drugs, including Macugen, Lucentis, Eylea, and Avastin. He was the first to test Avastin in an eye model of ocular neovascularization in the laboratory of Judah Folkman at Harvard Medical School. As the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Aviceda Therapeutics, he continues to apply his expertise to develop biotechnology solutions for various diseases.

Aviceda Therapeutics Inc.: Glyco-immuno Therapeutics, The Next Bio-pharmaceutical Frontier

Aviceda Therapeutics Appoints Biopharma and Business Senior Executive Patrick Johnson, PhD, to its Board of Directors

Aviceda Therapeutics, a private clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing next-generation immunomodulators by harnessing the power of glycobiology to modulate the innate immune system and alleviate chronic, non-resolving inflammation with its lead ophthalmic asset, AVD-104, in late-stage clinical development for treatment of patients with geographic atrophy (GA), today announced the appointment of Patrick Johnson to its board of directors.

Aviceda Announces FDA Clearance of the Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for AVD-104, a Novel Glyco-Mimetic Nanoparticle, Enabling Initiation of Phase 2 Clinical Trials for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy from Macular Degeneration

Aviceda Therapeutics, a private clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing next generation immuno-modulators by harnessing the power of glycobiology to modulate the innate immune system and alleviate chronic, non-resolving inflammation, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the IND for AVD-104.

Aviceda, QUB to develop next-generation glyco-immune therapeutics

Aviceda’s HALOS is used to modulate the innate immune system to develop next-generation breakthrough therapeutics.

Aviceda Therapeutics is honored to be invited to Belfast, Northern Ireland among global leaders and distinguished guests to participate in the celebration marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday peace treaty.

Aviceda’s executives, Mohamed Genead, MD, Chief Executive Officer & President, Michael Tolentino, MD, Chief Technology Officer were invited to join Christopher Scott, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and founder of our seminal technology, to celebrate the growing biotech & life sciences ecosystem in Belfast as part of our strategic partnership with Queen’s University.

Aviceda Therapeutics Announces Strategic Partnership with Queen’s University Belfast (QUB)

Aviceda is partnering with world-renowned scientist Professor Christopher Scott and his teams at the Patrick G. Johnson Centre for Cancer Research at Queen’s University Belfast to spearhead development of the next generation of glyco-immune therapeutics.

Aviceda Announces 3 Presentations about AVD-104, its Lead Glyco-mimetic Nanoparticle, As a Novel Treatment for Geographic Atrophy from Macular Degeneration, at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, April 2023

Aviceda Therapeutics, announced their upcoming oral and poster presentations at the 2023 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual meeting in New Orleans.

Aviceda Submits Investigational New Drug Application for AVD-104 for the Treatment of GA Associated with AMD

Aviceda Therapeutics announced that it has submitted an investigational new drug (IND) application to the FDA. The IND supports the use of its lead intravitreal ocular asset, AVD-104 (a novel glycan-coated nanoparticle), for the treatment of GA secondary to AMD.

Aviceda Announces Successful Submission of an Investigational New Drug (IND) and Fast Track Designation (FTD) Application for AVD-104 for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Aviceda Therapeutics has completed a key regulatory milestone for its HALOS™ (High-Affinity Ligands of Sigelcs) technology platform and its lead ophthalmic drug candidate, AVD-104, a novel intravitreal glyco-conjugated nanoparticle.

A recent article published in Retina Physician about Dr. Michael Singer presentation in annual retina society to discuss a new potential target for Geographic Atrophy via Siglecs Modulation

To learn more read below

Aviceda Announces Successful Completion of Key IND Toxicity Milestone with Favorable Safety Profile in Non-Human Primates

Aviceda Therapeutics has completed a key IND-enabling milestone for its HALOS™ (High-Affinity Ligands of Sigelcs) technology platform by demonstrating a very favorable safety profile at numerous tolerated doses of its lead ophthalmic drug candidate, AVD-104, in non-human primates and rabbits.

Aviceda Announces Additional World-Class Members to its Clinical Advisory Board to Support its Clinical Development Strategy in Ophthalmology

Aviceda Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing the next generation of immuno-modulators by harnessing the power of glycobiology to modulate the innate immune system and chronic, non-resolving inflammation, is announcing the addition of world-renowned top-tier ophthalmic key opinion leaders to its clinical advisory board.

Aviceda Therapeutics Announces Key Opinion Leader in Ophthalmology Drug Development Tarek S. Hassan, MD to Join Management Team as Chief Development Officer

Tarek Hassan, MD: Past President of American Society of Retina Specialists and Retina World Congress; Clinical researcher: global randomized clinical trials (>150), peer-reviewed (230); founder 6 medical device and/or medical education companies; holder of numerous issued patents and inventions

Aviceda’s Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Michael Tolentino, MD was nominated among The Top 100 Entrepreneurs of 2022.

Aviceda Therapeutics Announces Strategic Alliance with University of Georgia

Aviceda is partnering with world-renowned glyco-chemist Prof. Geert-Jan Boons and analytical glyco-biologist Dr. Parastoo Azadi and their teams at Complex Carbohydrate Research Center (CCRC) to spearhead development of the next generation of glyco-immune therapeutics.

Aviceda Therapeutics Announces Additional World-Class Members to its Scientific Advisory Board

An internationally renowned group of scientists, researchers and clinicians will work with Aviceda’s in-house team to spearhead development of the next generation of glyco-immune therapeutics.

Meet Richard Kennedy, Ph.D, newly appointed to Aviceda Therapeutics’ Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Kennedy is the McClay Professor in Medical Oncology at the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen’s University of Belfast. His research focus is on characterization of a molecular group in solid cancers that represents an innate immune response to DNA damage through the STING pathway and development of a gene expression-based biomarker panel that can identify pathways related to the hallmarks of cancer and guide patient therapy.​

Aviceda Ophthalmics is developing a pipeline of Glyco-Immune Therapeutics (GITs) that are delivered via biodegradable nanoparticles, and which safely and effectively target both cellular and humoral aspects of inflammatory processes in age-related macular degeneration. With several assets already at or past preclinical stages, Aviceda aims to soon introduce disruptive therapeutics that will undoubtedly improve patient quality-of-life. ​

Aviceda Therapeutics will continue to produce transformative product creation that will revolutionize the next generation of immunomodulators.

Targeting Innate Immune Activity in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Promising candidate molecules are in later stages of development.

Aviceda Therapeutics Mohamad Genead

Aviceda Therapeutics creates therapies that rely on immunological “switches” that can turn on or off pathologic mechanisms within the body. Its lead product is AVD-104, an optimized biodegradable nanoparticle that targets dry AMD. A Phase 2 clinical trial for AVD-104 is scheduled for later this year.

Aviceda Therapeutics is excited to announce that Mark Ferguson, PhD, has joined our team as Head of Portfolio and Project Management.

Aviceda Therapeutics is excited to announce David Callanan, MD, has joined our team as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Callanan is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in vitreoretinal diseases, with over 30 years of experience R&D.

We’re excited to announce that John MacDougall, PhD, has joined Aviceda Therapeutics as Vice President of Research.

Join Aviceda Therapeutics’ Chief Medical Officer David Callanan, MD, for his presentation at the prestigious 44th Annual Macula Society Meeting, held virtually February 6-7, 2021.

Aviceda Therapeutics is proud to participate in MassBio’s first-ever Partnering Week, connecting early-stage innovators developing breakthrough technologies with major biopharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic, and digital health organizations in complementary focus areas for partnering opportunities.

Meet Dr. Ajit Varki, Chief Scientist & Co-Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Varki received basic training in physiology & medicine at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, The University of Nebraska, & Washington University in St. Louis. He is also certified in internal medicine, hematology, and oncology.

Aviceda Therapeutics Announces Formation of Executive Team

Aviceda has assembled a renowned team of scientific entrepreneurs and biopharma senior executives to spearhead ongoing development efforts of pipeline candidates and help the company continue to explore growth opportunities.

Meet Ashoka Madduri Ph.D, Senior Director Corporate Strategy and Business Development. He brings expertise in advising start-ups on corporate strategy, analysis for disease/drug development platforms, forging strategic alliances, raising capital and determining go-to-market pathways, helping companies further their innovation capabilities.

Aviceda Therapeutics is proud to announce that Professor Yvette van Kooyk, a world-renowned glyco-immunologist and part of our Scientific Advisory Board, has been awarded the 2020 Spinoza Prize for her research in the field of immunology.

Meet Michael Tolentino, MD, Co-Founder, Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Tolentino has been very active in the clinical research of retinal diseases, acting as Principal Investigator in over 150 global clinical trials that led to multiple global approval for retina therapeutics.

Watch Derek Kunimoto, MD, JD, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, discuss Aviceda’s disruptive technology and the company’s progress toward an effective dry AMD treatment in OSN’s Healio Video Perspective from #AAO2020.

Aviceda Therapeutics’ Director of Research & Development, Anitha Krishnan, Ph.D, co-authored a recently published paper titled “Reprogramming to recover youthful epigenetic information and restore vision” for the multidisciplinary science journal, "nature."

Aviceda Ophthalmics presented at OIS Retina Innovation. Watch their presentation sharing data on their next generation of glyco-immune therapeutics (GIT's) in the pipeline and more.

We are proud to honor our incredible team. Meet Derek Kunimoto, MD, JD, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, of Aviceda Therapeutics. He is recognized as a top retinal specialist for his extensive experience in the clinical research of retinal diseases and as the Managing Partner of Retinal Consultants of Arizona.

Aviceda Ophthalmics, a subsidiary of Aviceda Therapeutics is dedicated to developing novel breakthrough therapeutics to cure patients with macular degeneration.

VIDEO: Aviceda Therapeutics outlines progress toward dry AMD treatment

In this Healio Video Perspective from the virtual Eyecelerator conference, Derek Kunimoto, MD, JD, co-founder and chief operating officer of Aviceda Therapeutics, speaks on the company’s progress toward an effective dry AMD treatment.

Aviceda Therapeutics is proud to announce that Dr. Ajit Varki, Chief Scientist and Co-Chair of the Scientific & Clinical Advisory Board, has been awarded the 2020 Rosalind Kornfeld Award for Lifetime Achievement in Glycobiology.

Join Aviceda Therapeutics and Mike Tolentino, MD, CTO, Co-Founder at AAO 2020 Virtual to learn how Aviceda is harnessing the power of glycobiology to build the next generation immunomodulators. November 13, 2020.

Aviceda Ophthalmics, sponsor of Eyecelerator 2020, invites you to join Derek Kunimoto, MD, JD, COO and members of our executive team for a virtual breakout session for an update on Aviceda Ophthalmics’ pipeline progress. Nov. 6, 12:32 to 12:52 p.m.

Aviceda Therapeutics Announces Formation of Scientific Advisory Board

An internationally renowned group of scientists, researchers and clinicians will work with Aviceda’s in-house team to spearhead development of the next generation of glyco-immune therapeutics.

Join us on October 28-29th for the Dry AMD Therapeutic Development Conference. Aviceda Therapeutic’s Director of Research & Development, Anitha Krishnan, Ph.D, will be presenting during this virtual event.

Utilizing the Glyco-Code technology platform, Aviceda Therapeutics is on the path to develop next generation of glyco-immune therapeutics

Platform technologies are known for having the ability to significantly improve the current product and generate a completely novel product. This, in turn, leads up to the opening of new avenues for drug development and discoveries, potentially increasing the therapeutic options for patients.

Join us on October 13-15th for the 4th Annual Complement-based Drug Development Summit 2020. Aviceda Therapeutics’s Director of Research & Development, Anitha Krishnan, Ph.D, will be presenting during this 100% digital event.

Aviceda Therapeutics Appoints Biopharma and Business Veterans Chris Adams, PhD, MBA, and Nancy K. Thomason, MBA to its Board of Directors

“Chris and Nancy will add significant value to our world-class, cross-disciplinary team and scientific advisory board and will help continue the progress we..." said Mohamed A. Genead, MD, Chairman & CEO of Aviceda Therapeutics.

Aviceda Therapeutics is proud to have signed MassBio's Open Letter 2.0 - The CEO Pledge for a More Equitable & Inclusive Life Sciences Industry.

ASRS 2020: What Aviceda’s lead candidate AVD-104 may mean for dry AMD

Aviceda Therapeutics' portfolio company, Aviceda Ophthalmics own Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder Derek Kunimoto, was interviewed during the Annual meeting for American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) to share an update about Aviceda's lead optimized nanoparticle (AVD-104) for treatment patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Aviceda Therapeutics Co-founder, CEO, Mohamed Genead, MD; Michael Tolentino, MD, CSO; and Derek Kunimoto, MD, COO will participate to the J.P. Morgan 38th Annual Healthcare Conference.