On May 9, 2025, Texas Retina’s Robert C. Wang, MD, presented “Top Line Results from ODYSSEY: A Phase IIb Study of Suprachoroidally Administered CLS-AX in Participants with Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration” at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2025 Meeting in Utah.

CLS-AX (axitinib injectable suspension) is a proprietary suspension of axitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), that is delivered via suprachoroidal injection. It is being developed for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), and the delivery method aims to provide a long-acting therapy with the potential to reduce the treatment burden associated with current monthly anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) injections. In wet AMD, VEGF plays a critical role in the formation of abnormal blood vessels in the retina that can leak, causing vision distortion and loss.

Under the leadership of Dr. Wang, Texas Retina participated in the Phase IIB ODYSSEY study. He shared the following key results at his ARVO 2025 presentation:

  • Two-thirds of participants dosed with CLS-AX reached six months without additional treatment.
  • CLS-AX reduced injection frequency by 84% compared to other wet AMD treatments.
  • It demonstrated stable best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central subfield thickness, a key indicator of retinal health, over 36 weeks.
  • The treatment had a well-tolerated safety profile through 36 weeks with no ocular serious adverse events.

“This is the next generation of treatment for wet macular degeneration with TKI inhibitors,” shares Dr. Wang. “Current treatment revolves around blocking VEGF. This treatment seems more durable, lasting up to 6 months between treatments.”

The same suprachoroidal injection system used for CLS-AX was previously approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a drug called XIPERE® (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension), which is used to treat uveitic cystoid macular edema (CME). Texas Retina participated in that study as well. Plans are currently in development for the Phase III trial of CLS-AX.

At ARVO 2025, Dr. Wang also served as co-moderator for the session, “AMD: New Drugs, Delivery Systems and Mechanisms of Action II.”

About ARVO
With a global membership that includes nearly 12,000 researchers from over 60 countries, ARVO is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world. The organization works to advance research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating and curing its disorders.

About Dr. Wang
Serving Texas Retina for 23 years, Dr. Wang provides a full range of vitreoretinal care and sub-specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of uveitis, an inflammatory eye condition. He also serves as Texas Retina’s director of clinical research for Plano.

Dr. Wang completed his retina training at Harvard University Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and his uveitis training at the University of Southern California Doheny Eye Institute. He cares for patients in Texas Retina’s Dallas Main, Dallas North, Plano and Sherman offices.

Click HERE to learn more about Dr. Wang or click HERE to access a list of Texas Retina’s current clinical trials.