Diabetic Macular Edema – Pipeline Review, 2019

Diabetic macular edema is an agglomeration of fluid in the macula, a sensitive area in the center of the retina, caused due to damage of blood vessels of the eye, allowing the fluid to escape. Constant high levels of blood sugar as a result of poor glucose control can damage the blood vessels in the body, including eyes. This leads to diabetic retinopathy resulting in vision impairment, leading to diabetic macular edema (DME). There are two types of DME, Focus DME- occurs due to abnormalities in the blood vessels of the eye and Diffuse DME – occurs due to widening or swelling of retinal capillaries. Symptoms of DME include blurred vision, eye floaters, and double vision. If left untreated, it may eventually lead to blindness.

Current treatment of diabetic macular edema includes medications such as anti-VEGF injections, corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Drugs like bevacizumab, aflibercept, fluocinolone acetonide, ranibizumab, and pegaptanib are being used to stop leaking and to slow the growth of new vessels. In severe cases, the laser procedure is recommended to treat DME.

Pharmaceutical companies accompanied by various research institutes have been focusing on studying and developing new treatment options for Diabetic Macular Edema. For instance; BI 1026706 is being studied by Boehringer Ingelheim and is currently in phase-2 clinical trials for the study of the effect of BI 1026706 on central retinal thickness and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the drug in patients with mild vision impairment due to diabetic macular edema.

At present, around 34% of the pipeline candidates for diabetic macular edema are in the phase-2 clinical stage. More than half of the studies are sponsored by pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industries.

Report Description

The report on ‘Diabetic Macular Edema – Pipeline Review, 2019’ provides a comprehensive overview of the drugs that are in the R&D pipeline by indication or molecule for Diabetic Macular Edema. The report provides a thorough analysis of the distribution of the pipeline products by clinical trial stage, indication, company, therapy area and details such as clinical trial stage, sponsor, description on every product in the pipeline. Products in the preclinical and clinical stage along with dormant & discontinued pipeline candidates are included in the report. The report also covers additional insights such as epidemiology overview and current market scenario for Diabetic Macular Edema.

The report on ‘Diabetic Macular Edema – Pipeline Review, 2019’, which is built by following a robust research methodology involving primary interviews and desk research, provides a complete overview of the R&D activity and pipeline products to assist companies in developing growth strategies and identifying emerging players.

Report Scope

• Thorough assessment of the pipeline products by areas such as development stage; route of administration; drug class; indication; sponsor; molecule type and drug target


• Comprehensive profiles of the pipeline products with details such as company overview; product description; R&D status; development activities; mechanism of action; molecule type; development stage; indications; funding and route of administration


• Overview of dormant and discontinued pipeline products


• Key insights in relation to the epidemiology of conditions being treated by the pipeline products and overview of the addressable or current market for the pipeline products


• Overview of the latest developments; news articles, press releases and relevant conferences

Report Methodology

• All pipeline reports are built through the analysis of data primarily collected through credible desk research sources. Secondary research is supplemented by interviews conducted with key opinion leaders.


• Desk research sources includes global and regional clinical trials databases; annual reports, websites, press releases & investor presentations of companies; white papers; news articles; reports published by industry associations; articles/reports published on databases such as NCBI, ResearchGate; internal databases

Reasons to Buy this Report

• Develop effective growth strategies based on comprehensive overview of the R&D activity and pipeline products for Diabetic Macular Edema.


• Identify emerging players or competition in the market based on pipeline products and develop strategies to counter the emergence of these players


• Identify the focus of leading players in relation to R&D for Diabetic Macular Edema.


• Identify potential companies from a partnership or acquisition point of view based on current synergy in R&D activities or strategies to diversify R&D focus to drive growth in business


• Analyse the reasons behind dormant and discontinued products to make changes in the R&D focus if necessary