Five years of pooled data from the OAKS, DERBY, and GALE trials show that pegcetacoplan (Syfovre) meaningfully slows the growth of geographic atrophy (GA), the advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration — and that starting treatment earlier makes a real difference. Patients with non-subfoveal GA who began treatment immediately preserved 3.9 mm² of retinal tissue, compared to just 1.9 mm² in those who waited two years before crossing over to the drug — a gap researchers estimate translates to roughly 16.5–18.5 extra months of delayed disease progression.

Experts are encouraged but urge realistic expectations. The drug slows lesion growth; it doesn't stop or reverse vision loss. Once retinal tissue is gone, it can't be recovered — making the timing of treatment initiation critical, especially before lesions reach the foveal center.

Key Takeaways:

• Monthly dosing showed 27% slower lesion growth vs. projected sham rates; every-other-month dosing showed 26% — a modest difference that many clinicians say makes the less frequent regimen the more practical choice
• Among non-subfoveal lesions specifically, monthly and every-other-month dosing slowed growth by 33% and 30%, respectively
• No cases of retinal vasculitis were reported; safety profile remained consistent with prior studies

Why it matters: GA affects millions of older adults and causes irreversible central vision loss. These long-term data reinforce that earlier treatment initiation — ideally before foveal involvement — offers the greatest benefit, giving clinicians a stronger evidence base for timely conversations with patients about starting therapy.