Sura Vec Shows Promise in NPDR

Two-year ALTITUDE data presented during AAO’s retina subspecialty day showed that the suprachoroidal anti-VEGF gene therapy achieved sustained DRSS gains with acceptable safety.

By: Charles C. Wykoff, MD, PhD

Retinal Physician October 18, 2025

Clinical Report: Sura Vec Shows Promise in NPDR

Overview

The ALTITUDE trial demonstrated that sura vec, a suprachoroidal anti-VEGF gene therapy, achieved significant improvements in diabetic retinopathy severity scores (DRSS) over two years with an acceptable safety profile. Notably, patients receiving the highest dose showed a 50% rate of two or more step DRSS improvements at two years.

Background

Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) is a precursor to more severe forms of diabetic retinopathy, including diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), which can lead to significant vision loss. Current treatment options for NPDR without DME are limited, highlighting the need for innovative therapies. Sura vec represents a novel approach using gene therapy to provide sustained anti-VEGF effects, potentially altering the management landscape for NPDR.

Data Highlights

Outcome	Control Eyes	Sura Vec Dose Level 2	Sura Vec Dose Level 3
DRSS Worsening	42%	17%	0%
DRSS Improvement (≥2 steps)	8%	33%	50%
Vision-Threatening Events	~50%	33%	14%

Key Findings

Sura vec demonstrated a significant reduction in DRSS worsening compared to control eyes.
Improvements of 2 or more steps in DRSS were stable or increased over two years for higher dose levels of sura vec.
Vision-threatening event rates were lower in patients treated with sura vec compared to historical controls.
The therapy was well tolerated, with manageable side effects, particularly when prophylactic steroids were used.
No patients in the highest dose level experienced DRSS worsening from year 1 to year 2.

Clinical Implications

The findings suggest that sura vec may provide a durable treatment option for patients with NPDR, potentially preventing progression to more severe forms of diabetic retinopathy. Clinicians may consider this gene therapy as a viable alternative to current management strategies, especially for patients at high risk of progression.

Conclusion

Sura vec shows promise as a safe and effective treatment for NPDR, with significant improvements in DRSS and a favorable safety profile. Further pivotal trials are anticipated to confirm these findings.

PentaVision

Retinal Physician