ALN-VEG01

ALN-VEG01 is an RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic candidate that was developed by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in collaboration with Merck for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The drug is a small interfering RNA (siRNA) designed to target and silence the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that plays a critical role in the pathological angiogenesis and vascular permeability associated with the 'wet' form of AMD. Although it was Alnylam's lead program in the mid-2000s, development was suspended in September 2005 before the initiation of Phase I clinical trials. This strategic decision was made due to the highly competitive landscape of VEGF-targeting therapies, as other agents like ranibizumab and pegaptanib were demonstrating significant efficacy in advanced clinical trials.