VEGF-A / VEGF-B / PlGF

Class

Recombinant fusion protein (VEGF-Trap decoy receptor) — aflibercept biosimilar candidate

Pathway

VEGF / PlGF angiogenic signaling

VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and placental growth factor (PlGF) are signaling proteins that promote the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and increase vascular permeability by binding to receptors on endothelial cells, the cells lining blood vessels. In several eye diseases, abnormal or leaky blood vessels form in the retina, causing swelling and vision loss. A VEGF-Trap is an engineered fusion protein that combines portions of natural VEGF receptors with an antibody-like scaffold, creating a decoy that binds circulating VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and PlGF before they can activate their receptors. By neutralizing multiple ligands rather than one, this approach can more broadly suppress the angiogenic and permeability signals driving retinal vascular disease, potentially addressing pathology that persists when only VEGF-A is blocked. This mechanism is broadly relevant to conditions such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion, where excessive VEGF/PlGF signaling drives disease progression. Modulating this pathway aims to reduce abnormal vessel growth and fluid leakage, thereby preserving retinal structure and vision. The approach exemplifies a broader strategy in ophthalmology of intercepting growth factors directly in the eye rather than targeting downstream cellular receptors.