Opus Genetics Announces VEGA-3 Phase 3 Trial Met its Primary Endpoint for Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% for the Treatment of Presbyopia

Rhea-AI Summary

Opus Genetics (NASDAQ:IRD) announced positive topline results from its VEGA-3 Phase 3 trial for Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% in treating presbyopia. The study met its primary endpoint with 27.2% of treated participants achieving ≥15-letter improvement in near vision compared to 11.5% on placebo (p<0.0001).

The trial enrolled 545 participants across 40 U.S. sites, demonstrating significant patient-reported benefits and consistent safety profile with no serious adverse events. Key secondary endpoints were also met, showing rapid onset with 20.6% achieving vision improvement within 1 hour on Day 1. The company plans to submit an FDA application in H2 2025.

Positive

• Met primary endpoint with statistically significant 27.2% improvement vs 11.5% placebo
• Achieved rapid onset with 20.6% showing improvement within 1 hour on Day 1
• No evidence of tachyphylaxis over 6-week period
• Significant patient-reported functional benefits at Days 3, 8 and Week 6
• FDA submission planned for second half of 2025
• Global licensing agreement with Viatris for commercialization rights

Negative

• Most common adverse events included conjunctival hyperemia, instillation site irritation, and dysgeusia
• 2.6% of patients reported headaches during the study period

Insights

Ophthalmology Clinical Researcher

Opus' presbyopia eye drop shows strong Phase 3 results with significant vision improvement and favorable safety profile, advancing toward FDA submission.

Opus Genetics has achieved a significant milestone with their VEGA-3 Phase 3 trial for Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75%. The study demonstrated compelling efficacy with 27.2% of treated patients achieving ≥3-line improvement in near vision compared to just 11.5% on placebo (p<0.0001). This represents a clinically meaningful improvement for presbyopia patients.

The rapid onset of action is particularly noteworthy, with 20.6% of patients showing ≥3-line gains in near vision just 1 hour after the first dose. Perhaps more impressive is the durability of response - the data shows no tachyphylaxis (diminishing effect) over the 6-week period, addressing a common concern with many ophthalmic therapies.

The safety profile appears quite favorable. Unlike some competing presbyopia drops that cause pupil constriction and potential night vision issues, Phentolamine's mechanism appears to preserve distance vision and low contrast sensitivity. The mild side effect profile (primarily conjunctival hyperemia and instillation site irritation) and low headache incidence (2.6%) suggest good tolerability for chronic use.

With positive results from both VEGA-2 and VEGA-3 trials, Opus now has a robust data package for FDA submission. Their partnership with Viatris provides established commercial infrastructure, potentially accelerating market penetration if approved. Given that presbyopia affects virtually everyone over 45, representing hundreds of millions of potential patients worldwide, this once-daily evening drop could address a massive unmet need.

• Study met its primary and key secondary endpoints, demonstrating rapid and sustained improvement in near visual acuity
• Safety profile consistent with previous clinical trials and no treatment-related serious adverse events reported in the study
• No evidence of tachyphylaxis was observed in this study over the 6-week period
• Management to Host Webcast and Conference Call Today at 8:00 A.M. ET

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Opus Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: IRD), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene therapies for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and small molecule therapies for other ophthalmic disorders, today announced positive topline results from VEGA-3, its second pivotal Phase 3 trial evaluating Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% for the treatment of presbyopia. Presbyopia is an ophthalmic disorder that involves the progressive loss of ability to focus on close objects that results in blurred near vision, difficulty seeing in dim light, and eye strain.

The VEGA-3 trial met its primary endpoint, with a statistically significant 27.2% of participants treated with Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% achieving a ≥15-letter improvement in binocular distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA), with less than a 5-letter loss in binocular best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) at 12 hours post-dose on Day 8, compared to 11.5% of patients on placebo (p<0.0001). The trial also met key secondary efficacy endpoints, reinforcing the benefit observed.

“The results of the VEGA-3 trial reinforce our belief that Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% could offer an option to improve near vision for millions of adults affected by presbyopia,” said George Magrath, M.D., CEO, Opus Genetics. “The positive results from both our Phase 3 VEGA-2 and VEGA-3 trials support the submission of an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which we plan to file in the second half of 2025. I want to thank the participants and clinical teams who participated in VEGA-3 and who have helped us bring Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% to this point in development.”

“These findings provide further validation of Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% as a differentiated approach to managing presbyopia, reflected by its ability to improve near vision while preserving distance vision without compromising low contrast vision,” said Jay Pepose, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Advisor, Opus Genetics.

VEGA-3 Phase 3 Study

VEGA-3 is the second Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% in subjects with presbyopia. VEGA-3 is a multicenter, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study that enrolled 545 participants across 40 sites in the United States. Subjects were randomized in a 3:2 ratio to receive either Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% or placebo, administered once daily in the evening.

Top-Line Results:

• The primary endpoint was defined as the proportion of participants achieving a ≥15-letter Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) (≥3-line) improvement in binocular DCNVA and with less than 5 letters of loss in binocular BCDVA from baseline at 12 hours post-dose on Day 8, as compared to placebo.
• 27.2% of participants treated with Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% achieved a ≥15-letter improvement in DCNVA, with less than a 5-letter loss in BCDVA at 12 hours post-dose on Day 8, compared to 11.5% of patients on placebo (p<0.0001).
• 20.6% of patients in the Phentolamine arm achieved ≥15-letter ETDRS (≥3-line) gain in DCNVA at 1-hour post-dose on Day 1 compared to 6.1% of those receiving placebo (p=0.0002).
• Significant patient-reported functional benefit at Days 3 and 8 and Week 6 were observed with patients reporting satisfaction with near vision upon awakening (p<0.0001) and improvement in their near vision (p<0.0001).
• There was no evidence of tachyphylaxis observed after 6 weeks compared to the primary endpoint at Day 8 12 hours post-dose.
  
• Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% demonstrated a safety profile consistent with previous trials, with no new safety signal identified and no treatment-related serious adverse events reported in this study. The most common (≥5%) treatment-emergent adverse events included conjunctival hyperemia, instillation site irritation, and dysgeusia and all of which were predominantly mild. A low rate of headache (2.6%) was reported over the study period.
  
  

VEGA-3 patients will continue to be monitored for long-term safety over 48 weeks. Additional information on the VEGA-3 study design is available on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06542497).

Opus Genetics and Viatris (through its affiliate) are parties to a global licensing agreement which provides for the development of Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% and grants exclusive rights to Viatris to commercialize Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% in the United States.

Conference Call & Webcast Details

Opus Genetics management will host a webcast and conference call today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the VEGA-3 results and provide a corporate update. The live and archived webcast may be accessed on the Opus Genetics website under the Investors section: Events. The live call can be accessed by dialing 888-506-0062 (domestic) or 973-528-0011 (international) and entering conference code: 936860. Opus Genetics suggests participants join 15 minutes in advance of the event.

About Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75%

Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% is a non-selective alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist to reduce pupil size, administered as an eye drop. It works by uniquely blocking the alpha-1 receptors found on the radial iris dilator muscles, which are activated by the alpha-1 adrenergic receptors, without affecting the ciliary muscle. Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% is currently being evaluated in two Phase 3 programs for the treatment of presbyopia and dim (mesopic) light vision disturbances after keratorefractive surgery (LYNX clinical program) and presbyopia (VEGA clinical program).

About Presbyopia

Presbyopia is the progressive loss of ability to focus on near objects that typically becomes noticeable in the early to mid-40s. As the eye ages, the ability to focus for reading and other tasks that require clear vision at near distances decreases. Presbyopia patients experience blurred near vision, difficulty seeing in dim light and eye strain. This ubiquitous condition leads to the widespread use of reading glasses or bifocals. It is estimated that 128 million Americans, and over 2 billion people worldwide, have presbyopia, and this number is expected to grow as the population ages.

About Opus Genetics

Opus Genetics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene and small molecule therapies for vision-threatening eye diseases. The company’s pipeline features AAV-based gene therapies targeting inherited retinal diseases including Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), bestrophinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa. Its lead candidate, OPGx-LCA5, is in a Phase 1/2 trial for LCA5-related mutations and has shown encouraging early results. Additional programs include OPGx-BEST1, a gene therapy targeting BEST1- related retinal degeneration and a Phase 3-ready small molecule therapy for diabetic retinopathy, developed under a Special Protocol Assessment with the FDA. Opus is also advancing Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75%, a partnered therapy currently approved in one indication and is being studied in two Phase 3 programs for presbyopia and dim light vision disturbances. The company is based in Research Triangle Park, NC. For more information, visit www.opusgtx.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the clinical development, clinical results, and future plans for Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% and expectations regarding us, our business prospects, and our results of operations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties posed by many factors and events that could cause our actual business, prospects and results of operations to differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “aim,” “may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. We undertake no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that might subsequently arise.

Contacts

Investors
Jenny Kobin
Remy Bernarda
IR Advisory Solutions
ir@opusgtx.com

Media
Kimberly Ha
KKH Advisors
917-291-5744
kimberly.ha@kkhadvisors.com

Source: Opus Genetics, Inc.

FAQ

What were the main results of Opus Genetics' VEGA-3 Phase 3 trial for presbyopia treatment?

27.2% of participants treated with Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% achieved ≥15-letter improvement in near vision, compared to 11.5% on placebo (p<0.0001).

When does Opus Genetics (IRD) plan to submit FDA application for Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution?

Opus Genetics plans to submit their FDA application in the second half of 2025, supported by positive results from both VEGA-2 and VEGA-3 trials.

How many participants were involved in the VEGA-3 Phase 3 trial?

The trial enrolled 545 participants across 40 sites in the United States, randomized in a 3:2 ratio to receive either Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% or placebo.

What were the main side effects reported in the VEGA-3 trial?

The most common side effects (≥5%) included conjunctival hyperemia, instillation site irritation, and dysgeusia, mostly mild, with headaches reported in 2.6% of patients.

How quickly did Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution show effectiveness in the VEGA-3 trial?

20.6% of treated patients achieved ≥15-letter improvement in near vision within 1 hour on Day 1, compared to 6.1% on placebo (p=0.0002).