Key Takeaways

  • The Phase 2a JOURNEY study completed enrollment of 94 eyes from 47 participants, exceeding its planned target of 62 eyes

  • VOY-101 is an investigational, single-injection gene therapy targeting complement factor H, with the primary endpoint assessing GA lesion growth at Month 15

  • Topline Phase 2a data are expected in late 2027, and Perceive Bio has appointed former Iveric Bio executive Tony Gibney to its board of directors

Perceive Biotherapeutics has completed enrollment in the phase 2a portion of its phase 1/2a JOURNEY study (PBI-AMD-002), evaluating VOY-101, an investigational gene therapy for geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The study enrolled 94 eyes from 47 participants, exceeding the company's original target of 62 eyes. Topline results from the 15-month primary endpoint are expected in late 2027.

JOURNEY is a randomized, open-label, multicenter study evaluating a single intravitreal injection of VOY-101 at the recommended phase 2 dose established during Phase 1.

Participants have bilateral GA lesions of comparable size. One eye was randomly selected to receive VOY-101, while the untreated fellow eye serves as a within-patient control. This design is intended to account for factors such as genetics, age, and environmental exposures that may influence disease progression.

The primary endpoint is the change in GA lesion size at Month 15. Secondary endpoints include GA lesion growth through Month 24, visual acuity and visual function, development of macular neovascularization, and safety and tolerability.

“VOY-101 is designed as a one-time treatment that restores the body's own protective regulation of the complement pathway in patients at elevated risk of progression,” said K. Angela Macfarlane, CEO of Perceive Bio, in a company statement.

Ms. Macfarlane noted that currently approved GA therapies require repeated intravitreal injections, highlighting the potential clinical relevance of a durable treatment approach.

Perceive Bio also announced the appointment of Tony Gibney as an independent member of its board of directors.

Mr. Gibney brings more than 30 years of biotechnology finance, business development, and strategic leadership experience. He previously served as executive vice president and chief business and strategy officer at Iveric Bio before its acquisition by Astellas Pharma in 2023.