Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes-related retinal disease that can range from non-vision-threatening changes to severe forms including proliferative disease and diabetic macular edema. It is a major cause of vision impairment and requires regular retinal screening and timely treatment. Disease burden is substantial at population level.
The CONDOR randomized clinical trial found brolucizumab better preserved visual acuity than panretinal photocoagulation in proliferative diabetic retinopathy at week 54. Brolucizumab also reduced vision-threatening complications and center-involved diabetic macular edema events, while showing more intraocular inflammation.
A study of 100 adults with diabetes found broad comfort with AI-based diabetic retinopathy screening, but most participants wanted physician oversight. The findings come as AI tools move further into community diabetes care.
Two studies of older adults with type 2 diabetes linked diabetic retinal disease with higher dementia risk. DME and more severe diabetic retinopathy were associated with higher all-cause and vascular dementia risk, but not consistently with Alzheimer’s disease.
A study in Ophthalmology found tirzepatide use was associated with lower 12-month risk of new or progressive diabetic retinopathy versus lifestyle intervention alone. The analysis included about 174,000 matched patients.
A meta-analysis in BMC Ophthalmology found distinct gut microbiome compositional and functional alterations in diabetic retinopathy. The review identified depleted SCFA-producing bacteria, enriched pro-inflammatory bacteria, and dysregulated metabolic pathways.
GLP-1 drugs are still being studied for Alzheimer’s and addiction after semaglutide failed to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. A 2025 abstract reported semaglutide slowed cognitive impairment in an Alzheimer’s model.
Kodiak Sciences' experimental drug Zenkuda achieved 62.5% response rate in diabetic retinopathy trial with 85% reduction in sight-threatening complications. The company plans to accelerate FDA submission while preparing for wet AMD study readout in Q3 2026. Shares surged 68.6% following the positive late-stage results.
Scientists at UCL have discovered that the protein LRG1 triggers the earliest damage in diabetic retinopathy by constricting retinal blood vessels. Blocking LRG1 in diabetic mice prevented early retinal damage and preserved normal eye function.
Zydus Lifesciences launched ANYRA, India's first indigenous Aflibercept biosimilar for retinal conditions, and secured approval for a March 2026 day-one launch of generic semaglutide for diabetes and obesity treatment.
Zydus Lifesciences plans to launch Semaglutide injection in India after patent expiry and introduced ANYRA, India's first indigenous Aflibercept biosimilar. The USFDA cleared the company's Ahmedabad injectable facility with zero observations.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07602348 |
Assessment of Retinal-Angio Findings In Patients With Diabetes Type II Treated With Novel Antidiabetic Therapies |
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING | |
| NCT07592273 |
Surabgene Lomparvovec Administered in the Suprachoroidal Space in Adult Participants With Diabetic Retinopathy Without Center-Involved Diabetic Macular Edema |
RECRUITING | PHASE2/PHASE3 |
| NCT07588100 |
A Study to Investigate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of RO7663498 Following Intravitreal Administration in Participants With Diabetic Retinopathy |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
| NCT07555574 |
Defining Retinal Structures Using Hyperspectral Retinal Imaging |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07544381 |
Nursing Intervention Based on Stress Adaptation Theory for Patients Undergoing Diabetic Retinal Laser Surgery |
COMPLETED | NA |
| NCT07501052 |
Study of the SCD411 Prefilled Syringe for Treating Adults With Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Retinal Vein Occlusion, Diabetic Macular Edema, or Diabetic Retinopathy |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07458516 |
Longitudinal Observational Study of Diabetic Retinopathy Progression in Type 2 Diabetes Patients |
RECRUITING | |
| NCT07444892 |
Levodopa for Diabetic Retinopathy |
COMPLETED | PHASE2 |
| NCT07434362 |
Serum Endocan, Alarin, and Galanin-Like Peptide Levels in Diabetic Retinopathy |
COMPLETED | NA |
| NCT07417410 |
Analysis of DR Progression to Identify Risks and Need for Treatment |
RECRUITING |
