Efficacy and Safety Study of Ixoberogene Soroparvovec (Ixo-vec) in Participants With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (AQUARIUS) (AQUARIUS)

A Multi-center, Randomized, Double-masked, Active-comparator-controlled, Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Ixoberogene Soroparvovec (Ixo-vec) in Participants With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (AQUARIUS)

This is a multi-center, randomized, double-masked, active-comparator-controlled, Phase 3 study in a broad participant population (treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced) with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). The study will evaluate a single intravitreal (IVT) injection of Ixo-vec compared to intravitreal aflibercept (active comparator). The primary endpoint of this study is the mean change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of Ixo-vec compared to an active comparator measured as an average at Weeks 52 and 56.

Safety, tolerability, and efficacy will be evaluated throughout the study.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Wet AMD; Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD)
• Intervention / Treatment: Genetic: Ixo-vec; Drug: Aflibercept

Detailed Description

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the non-inferiority in efficacy of a single IVT injection of Ixo-vec 6 x 10^10 vector genome (vg)/eye compared to an active comparator. Non-inferiority will be evaluated using a pre-specified margin defined in the protocol.

Neovascular AMD is a degenerative ocular disease associated with the infiltration of abnormal blood vessels in the retina from the underlying choroid layer and is a leading cause of blindness in patients over 65 years of age. The abnormal angiogenic process in nAMD is stimulated and modulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Treatment of nAMD requires frequent IVT injections of VEGF inhibitors (anti-VEGF) administered every 4-16 weeks. Ixo-vec (also known as ADVM-022 or AAV.7m8-aflibercept) is an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy product being developed for the treatment of nAMD. Ixo-vec is designed to reduce the current treatment burden which often results in undertreatment and vision loss in patients with nAMD receiving anti-VEGF therapy in clinical practice.

Safety, tolerability, and efficacy will be evaluated throughout this study. The primary endpoint of this study is the mean change in BCVA of Ixo-vec compared to an active comparator measured as an average at Weeks 52 and 56 post-treatment.

Due to the long duration of the Screening period, this study will be considered fully enrolled when randomization has been completed.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 284
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Adverum Study Contact; Phone Number: 650-656-9323; Email: ADVM02213ClinOp@adverum.com

Study Locations

• United States
  • Arizona
    • Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85020
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 178
    • Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85014
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 126
    • Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85020
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 223
    • Scottsdale, Arizona, United States, 85255
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 229
  • Arkansas
    • Springdale, Arkansas, United States, 72764
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 198
  • California
    • Bakersfield, California, United States, 93309
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 109
    • Beverly Hills, California, United States, 90211
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 100
    • Campbell, California, United States, 95008
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 201
    • Encino, California, United States, 91436
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 172
    • Fullerton, California, United States, 92835
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 169
    • Huntington Beach, California, United States, 92647
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 224
    • Redlands, California, United States, 92374
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 215
    • Sacramento, California, United States, 95825
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 140
    • Sacramento, California, United States, 95841
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 212
    • Torrance, California, United States, 90503
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 202
    • Walnut Creek, California, United States, 94598
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 189
  • Colorado
    • Denver, Colorado, United States, 80207
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 116
  • Connecticut
    • Waterford, Connecticut, United States, 06385
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 165
  • Florida
    • Deerfield Beach, Florida, United States, 33064
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 124
    • Deerfield Beach, Florida, United States, 33064
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 184
    • Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, 33308
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 176
    • Fort Myers, Florida, United States, 33912
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 221
    • Lakeland, Florida, United States, 33805
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 214
    • Orlando, Florida, United States, 32806
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 213
    • South Miami, Florida, United States, 33143
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 183
  • Georgia
    • Augusta, Georgia, United States, 30909
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 182
  • Indiana
    • Carmel, Indiana, United States, 46032
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 195
  • Maryland
    • Hagerstown, Maryland, United States, 21740
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 204
  • Mississippi
    • Jackson, Mississippi, United States, 39202
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 216
  • New York
    • Liverpool, New York, United States, 13088
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 225
  • North Carolina
    • Asheville, North Carolina, United States, 28803
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 196
    • Greensboro, North Carolina, United States, 27401
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 211
    • Greensboro, North Carolina, United States, 27401
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 219
    • Hickory, North Carolina, United States, 28602
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 220
    • Wake Forest, North Carolina, United States, 27587
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 209
  • South Carolina
    • Bluffton, South Carolina, United States, 29910
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 241
    • Ladson, South Carolina, United States, 29456
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 222
  • Texas
    • Austin, Texas, United States, 78705
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 127
    • Conroe, Texas, United States, 77384
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 107
    • Dallas, Texas, United States, 75231
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 194
    • McAllen, Texas, United States, 78503
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 162
    • San Marcos, Texas, United States, 78666
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 232
    • Schertz, Texas, United States, 78154
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 228
    • The Woodlands, Texas, United States, 77384
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 231
    • Tyler, Texas, United States, 75703
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 237
  • Virginia
    • Lynchburg, Virginia, United States, 24502
      • Recruiting
      • Adverum Clinical Site 199

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Able and willing to provide informed consent (or have a legally authorized representative who is able and willing to provide informed consent) prior to any study assessments and procedures and comply with the study requirements and visits.
2. Male or female with a diagnosis of CNV secondary to nAMD in the study eye, with nAMD disease activity at Screening Visit 1.
3. At least 50 years old at Screening Visit 1.
4. An ETDRS BCVA letter score of 35 - 78 (approximate Snellen equivalent of 20/200 to 20/32) in the study eye at Screening Visit 1.
5. Demonstrated a meaningful anatomic response to anti-VEGF therapy during screening.
6. Able to reliably use eye drops per protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

General Exclusion Criteria

1. History of a medical condition giving reasonable suspicion of a condition that contraindicates the use of Ixo-vec, compromises the participant's ability to comply with the planned study activities, or that might affect the interpretation of the results of the study or render the participant at high risk for treatment complications in the opinion of the Investigator. History of severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection may meet this exclusion criterion if, in the opinion of the Investigator, it is likely to lead to any important complications.
2. Received any prior gene therapy.
3. Prior treatment with any non-gene therapy investigational medicinal product (IMP) or medical device in the study eye within 3 months of Screening Visit 1 or 5 half-lives of the IMP prior to dosing with Ixo-vec, whichever is longer.
4. Female participants who are pregnant or breastfeeding or who intend to become pregnant or breastfeed in the future.

5. History or evidence of any of the following cardiovascular diseases:

   1. Myocardial infarction in the 6-month period prior to Week 1.
   2. Uncontrolled hypertension defined as systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure > 100 mmHg during screening.
   3. Stroke in the 6-month period prior to Week 1.
6. History of ongoing bleeding disorders. The use of aspirin or other anticoagulants (e.g., Factor Xa inhibitors) is permitted.
7. Use of systemic immunosuppressive drugs within 90 days prior to Screening Visit 1. Short courses of oral corticosteroids are permitted, as well as any inhaled, intra-articular, nasal or dermal steroid use.
8. Evidence of poorly controlled diabetes or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 8.0% during screening.

Ocular Exclusion Criteria

1. Any active ocular or periocular infection in the study eye from Screening Visit 1.

2. History or evidence of the following in the study eye:

   1. Intraocular or refractive surgery within 5 months prior to Week 1.
   2. Any previous penetrating keratoplasty or vitrectomy.
   3. Any previous panretinal photocoagulation.
   4. Any previous submacular surgery, other surgical intervention (including port delivery system) or laser treatment for age-related macular degeneration.
3. Any history or evidence of retinal detachment (with or without repair) or retinal pigment epithelium rip/tear in the study eye, as determined by the Investigator during screening or at Week 1.

4. Uncontrolled ocular hypertension or glaucoma in the study eye from Screening Visit 1 to Week 1 or current use of ≥ 2 intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering medications or normal tension glaucoma/suspect in the study eye or history of any of the following procedures in the study eye prior to Week 1:

   1. Incisional glaucoma surgery (i.e., glaucoma drainage implant/shunt or trabeculectomy)
   2. Ocular angle-based surgery (i.e., goniotomy or canaloplasty)
   3. Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) in the study eye.
   4. Angle-based glaucoma surgery (e.g., Argon or Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty)
5. Any history of IOP elevation related to topical steroid administration in either eye.
6. Any history of uveitis or inflammation (grade trace or above) except mild anticipated post operative inflammation that resolved in either eye.
7. Any history of treatment with complement inhibitors for geographic atrophy in the study eye.
8. Known history of ocular herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, or cytomegalovirus, including viral uveitis, retinitis, or keratitis in either eye.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Aflibercept; Participants will receive 3 monthly loading doses of aflibercept 2 mg IVT, a sham injection at Week 1, and aflibercept 2 mg IVT every 8 weeks.	Drug: Aflibercept; Aflibercept will be administered intravitreally.
Experimental: Ixo-vec; Participants will receive 3 monthly loading doses of aflibercept 2 mg IVT, a single IVT injection of Ixo-vec 6 x 10^10 vg/eye at Week 1, and sham injections every 8 weeks.	Genetic: Ixo-vec; Ixo-vec will be administered intravitreally.; Drug: Aflibercept; Aflibercept will be administered intravitreally.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Mean Change from Baseline in BCVA Based on an Average at Weeks 52 and 56	BCVA will be measured using an Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity chart.	Baseline, Week 52 and Week 56

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Mean Number of Aflibercept IVT Injections Received		Week 4 through Week 56
Percentage of Participants with Worsened BCVA	BCVA measured by ETDRS.	Through Week 56
Percentage of Participants with Improved BCVA	BCVA measured by ETDRS.	Through Week 56
Mean Change from Baseline in BCVA Over Time Based on an Average at Weeks 52 and 56	BCVA measured by ETDRS.	Baseline Through Week 56
Mean Change from Week 1 in BCVA Based on an Average at Weeks 52 and 56	BCVA measured by ETDRS.	Week 1 through Week 56
Percentage of Participants with BCVA of 73 Letters or More from Week 4 Through Week 56		Week 4 through Week 56
Mean Change in Central Subfield Thickness (CST) from Baseline Over Time Through Week 56	CST as measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).	Baseline Through Week 56
Percentage of Participants with CST ≤ 300 μm Over Time Through Week 56	CST will be assessed by a central reading center (CRC) using SD-OCT.	Through Week 56
Mean Number of CST Fluctuations > 50 μm From Week 1 Over Time Through Week 56	CST will be assessed by a CRC using SD-OCT images and the mean number of fluctuations with thickness of more than 50 μm will be summarized.	Week 1 through Week 56
Percentage of Participants with CST Fluctuations > 50 μm from Week 1 Over Time Through Week 56	CST will be assessed using SD-OCT.	Week 1 through Week 56
Percent Reduction in Mean Rate of Annualized Anti-VEGF Injections	Percent reduction in mean rate of annualized anti-VEGF injections will be assessed relative to the reduction in mean rate of annualized anti-VEGF injections received in the year prior to screening in treatment-experienced participants.	Through Week 56
Percentage of Participants Who Were Aflibercept Injection-free		Week 4 through Week 56
Percentage of Participants Who Received 0 or 1 Aflibercept Injection		Week 4 through Week 56
Mean Change in Area of Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) Lesion from Baseline Over Time Through Week 56	CNV is the infiltration of abnormal blood vessels in the retina from the underlying choroid layer. It will be assessed by a CRC using SD-OCT.	Baseline through Week 56
Mean Change in Macular Volume from Baseline Over Time Through Week 56	Macular volume will be measured as part of the full ophthalmic examination.	Baseline through Week 56
Percentage of Participants Without Intraretinal Fluid (IRF) Over Time Through Week 56	IRF will be assessed using SD-OCT.	Through Week 56
Percentage of Participants Without Subretinal Fluid (SRF) Over Time Through Week 56	SRF will be assessed using SD-OCT.	Through Week 56
Percentage of Participants Without IRF and/or SRF Over Time Through Week 56	IRF and SRF will be assessed using SD-OCT.	Through Week 56
Time to Dry Retina	Dry retina is defined as no IRF or SRF (i.e., absence of both). IRF and SRF will be assessed using SD-OCT.	Through Week 56
Time to Sustained Dry Retina	Sustained dry retina is defined as no IRF or SRF (i.e., absence of both) maintained for 2 consecutive visits.	Through Week 56
Number of Participants Who Experienced Ocular Adverse Events	The number of participants who experience an ocular adverse event will be summarized.	Through Week 56
Number of Participants Who Experienced Mild, Moderate or Severe Ocular Adverse Events	The number of participants who experience a mild, moderate or severe ocular adverse event will be summarized.	Through Week 56
Number of Participants Who Experienced Non-ocular Adverse Events	The number of participants who experience a non-ocular adverse event will be summarized.	Through Week 56
Number of Participants Who Experienced Mild, Moderate or Severe Non-ocular Adverse Events	The number of participants who experience a mild, moderate or severe non-ocular adverse event will be summarized.	Through Week 56
Mean Change in 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) Total and Subscale Scores	The NEI VFQ-25 measures vision-targeted patient-reported outcomes of individuals with chronic eye diseases. It comprises 25 questions. The assessment generates an overall composite score and includes the following subscales: global vision rating, difficulty with near vision activities, difficulty with distance vision activities, limitations in social functioning due to vision, role limitations due to vision, dependency on others due to vision, mental health symptoms due to vision, driving difficulties, limitations with peripheral and color vision, and ocular pain. A decrease in the NEI VFQ-25 score represents an improvement in disease severity.	Day 1 to Week 28 and Week 56
Mean Change in the 5-item Health-related Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L)	The EQ-5D-5L is a concise, generic self-reported health questionnaire which is weighted to reflect the relevant importance to patients of various different health problems. In retinal disease, the questionnaire is used to assess quality of life in the context of vision loss. It measures five parameters; mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. An increase in the EQ-5D-5L score represents an improvement in disease severity.	Day 1 to Week 28 and Week 56

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc.
• Investigators: Study Director: Adam Turpcu, PhD, Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 16, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 15, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 20, 2031

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 16, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 16, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 19, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 20, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 19, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Wet AMD; Neovascular AMD; Aflibercept; AAV; Gene therapy; Neovascular age-related macular degeneration; CNV; Blindness; ADVM-022; AAV.7m8; AAV.7m8-aflibercept; Eye disease; wAMD; nAMD; AAV vector; ADVM; Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration; Ixoberogene soroparvovec; Ixo-vec; Adeno-associated viruses; ADVM-022-13
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Vision Disorders; Sensation Disorders; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Eye Diseases; Blindness; aflibercept
• Other Study ID Numbers: ADVM-022-13

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: Adverum is committed to transparency. Appropriately de-identified participant-level data and supporting documents may be shared under appropriate conditions (e.g. when contractually permitted and when participants provide appropriate consent). Individual patient-level data would only be shared following completion of this study (and any associated studies), completion of applicable regulatory submissions, and in accordance with applicable regulations and laws, as well as criteria established by Adverum, our collaborators and/or industry best practices. Shared datasets and/or documents may be de-identified and/or redacted to protect participant identity and to protect sensitive and confidential information. For inquiries, please contact us at datasharing@adverum.com.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No