SIGMA-06G

A small molecule under development as a treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD), both early-stage disease and late-stage (geographic atrophy).

SIGMA drugs are a new class of drug with both anti-inflammatory and anti-degenerative functions. SIGMA drugs target proteins susceptible to oxidative damage and free radical production, predisposing the damaged protein to the development of abnormal behaviour known as ‘prion-like’. The features of prion-like behaviour include being misfolded, resistant to the body’s attempts to dispose of it, becoming sticky and prone to form aggregates which are self-propagating and toxic to tissues.

Prion-like behaviour is considered a hallmark of most neurodegenerative diseases, including degenerative eye diseases such as dry AMD, and increasingly believed associated with a range of common chronic diseases outside of the brain.

The indication being pursued initially is dry AMD, both intermediate stage and late-stage (geographic atrophy).