Neovascular AMD: FT-003 AAV Gene Therapy

This briefing explains what the technology is meant to do, who might be discussed for it, and what it does not replace. It is not medical advice and does not promise tumor shrinkage, functional recovery, or a cure. Eligibility, the receiving hospital, and the bill must be confirmed in writing by that hospital. Do not stop standard treatment unless the specialist agrees.

Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration damages the macula, which serves central vision. Abnormal vessels leak and bleed, and distortion or a central blind spot can worsen quickly. The usual treatment worldwide is repeated intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, often every few months. Leakage commonly returns if injections stop.

The briefing describes FT-003 as a domestically developed AAV subretinal gene therapy aimed at the VEGF pathway alone. It is still in clinical study and is not a routinely marketed drug. One operation places the vector at macular pigment epithelium so those cells might keep making an anti-angiogenic protein and reduce repeat injections. It is explicitly not the multi-target product EXG102-031. Vision recovery is not guaranteed, and ongoing anti-VEGF injections must not be stopped before an assessment.

1. Neovascular AMD must be confirmed, including the response to anti-VEGF injections;
2. Active intraocular inflammation, high-titer AAV neutralizing antibodies, and a large old macular scar are exclusions in the source;
3. The briefing says eligible people may be assessed under Lecheng policy. It is not a surgery that can be booked on request;
4. Leakage, acuity, and inflammation are followed under the eye team’s plan.