BI-1584862 is an investigational small molecule drug candidate, classified as a new molecular entity, under development by Boehringer Ingelheim for the treatment of Geographic Atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Notably, it is being developed as an oral formulation, administered as tablets twice daily in its current Phase II trial. This contrasts with existing approved GA therapies, which require intravitreal injections. The specific biological target and mechanism of action for BI-1584862 remain undisclosed in the available information. Following the successful completion of several Phase I studies in healthy volunteers that assessed safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, food effects, and potential drug interactions, BI-1584862 has advanced into a Phase II clinical trial (NCT06769048, JADE). This ongoing, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of multiple doses of BI-1584862 over one year in approximately 138 adults with non-foveal GA exhibiting signs of active progression. The primary objectives are to assess the drug's impact on GA progression and visual parameters and to identify an optimal dose for potential future development. While no specific regulatory designations (e.g., FDA Fast Track) have been reported, the program aligns with Boehringer Ingelheim's strategic focus on retinal diseases. The unknown mechanism of action represents a significant information gap, making the outcomes of the JADE trial critical for understanding the drug's potential therapeutic value and differentiating features, particularly its novel oral route of administration, within the evolving GA treatment landscape.
BI-1584862 (also documented as BI 1584862) is an investigational pharmaceutical agent currently undergoing clinical evaluation.[1] The development program is being conducted by Boehringer Ingelheim, a global research-driven pharmaceutical company.[1] Boehringer Ingelheim has explicitly identified Eye Health, and specifically retinal diseases including Geographic Atrophy, as a core area of research and partnering interest, indicating a strategic commitment to this therapeutic field.[10] This strategic alignment suggests that the development of BI-1584862 benefits from corporate focus and leverages the company's broader expertise, potentially drawn from research in areas like inflammation, neurodegeneration, and cardiometabolic diseases.[10]
BI-1584862 is characterized as a small molecule drug.[1] It has been designated as a New Molecular Entity (NME), signifying its structural distinction from previously approved drugs.[4] A key feature of its development program is its formulation for oral administration. Clinical trial protocols specify administration via tablets, taken twice daily in the ongoing Phase II study.[2] Phase I studies also utilized oral dosing.[5] This oral route represents a significant departure from the intravitreal injection route required for currently approved GA therapies.[2] An effective oral agent could offer substantial advantages regarding patient convenience, potentially reducing the treatment burden associated with frequent clinic visits for injections and possibly enhancing long-term adherence. The rigorous Phase I program, which included assessments of pharmacokinetics, food effects, and drug-drug interactions, highlights the systematic approach taken to establish a viable oral dosing regimen.[1] One database source notes the drug does not possess a novel mechanism [1]; however, given that other sources consistently report the mechanism as unknown [4], this likely refers to the absence of a disclosed novel mechanism rather than confirmation of a known one.
Table 1: BI-1584862 Drug Profile Summary
Feature | Detail | Source(s) |
---|---|---|
Name(s) | BI-1584862, BI 1584862 | 1 |
Developer | Boehringer Ingelheim | 1 |
Modality | Small Molecule | 1 |
Route of Administration | Oral (Tablet) | 2 |
Highest Development Phase | Phase II | 1 |
Target Indication | Geographic Atrophy (GA) secondary to Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) | 2 |
Mechanism of Action | Unknown / Undefined | 1 |
Status | New Molecular Entity (NME) | 4 |
Geographic Atrophy (GA) represents an advanced, irreversible stage of the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss in the elderly population globally.[19] The condition is defined by the progressive and relentless degeneration and loss of critical retinal cells within the macula – specifically, the photoreceptors (light-sensing cells), the supporting retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and the underlying choriocapillaris (a network of blood vessels supplying the outer retina).[19] This cellular loss manifests clinically as sharply demarcated areas of atrophy, which can be visualized using imaging techniques like fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and optical coherence tomography (OCT).[2] These atrophic lesions tend to enlarge over time, often coalescing and spreading across the macula.[19]
The pathophysiology driving GA is understood to be multifactorial and complex, involving genetic predisposition and environmental factors.[19] Key mechanisms implicated include chronic local inflammation, oxidative stress, and dysfunction within the complement system, a part of the innate immune system.[19] Accumulation of extracellular deposits called drusen between the RPE and Bruch's membrane is characteristic of earlier AMD stages and is considered a precursor and risk factor for GA development.[22] Mounting evidence points towards the overactivation of the complement cascade as a central driver of GA pathogenesis. Components of the complement system, such as C3 and C5 fragments, have been identified within drusen and atrophic lesions.[19] Dysregulation leads to excessive inflammation, phagocytosis (clearing of cells), and ultimately cell lysis via the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC), contributing directly to the death of RPE and photoreceptor cells.[19]
The progressive nature of GA leads to irreversible vision loss. While the fovea, the central point of the macula responsible for sharpest vision, may be spared in the early stages of GA, the enlarging lesions eventually encroach upon and destroy this critical area, resulting in severe central vision impairment.[19] Even before foveal involvement, patients may experience significant functional limitations due to paracentral scotomas (blind spots near the center).[19] The impact on patients' quality of life is profound, affecting daily activities such as reading, driving, recognizing faces, and maintaining independence.[19]
Historically, management for GA was limited to supportive measures, including low-vision aids and lifestyle recommendations, as no treatments could halt or slow the disease progression.[19] This represented a significant unmet medical need. A major therapeutic breakthrough occurred in 2023 with the FDA approval of the first treatments specifically for GA: pegcetacoplan (a C3 inhibitor) and avacincaptad pegol (a C5 inhibitor).[2] These therapies, administered via regular intravitreal (IVT) injections, demonstrated the ability to slow the rate of GA lesion growth in large clinical trials, validating the complement cascade as a viable therapeutic target.[2] Despite this advancement, challenges remain, including the need for frequent injections, the risk of potential side effects (including conversion to neovascular AMD), and the fact that these therapies slow progression rather than halting or reversing it.[19] The development landscape remains active, with numerous investigational agents exploring different targets and modalities.[9]
BI-1584862 enters this evolving therapeutic space. The recent validation of complement inhibition provides a benchmark for efficacy in slowing lesion growth. However, the significant treatment burden associated with current IVT therapies underscores the potential value of an effective oral agent like BI-1584862.[2] Furthermore, with its currently unknown mechanism of action [1], BI-1584862 might target alternative or complementary pathways involved in GA pathogenesis, potentially offering a different therapeutic approach or benefit profile compared to complement inhibitors. Its success will depend on demonstrating clinically meaningful efficacy in slowing GA progression and/or preserving vision, coupled with an acceptable safety profile, particularly considering the systemic exposure inherent to oral administration.
A critical aspect of BI-1584862's current profile is the lack of information regarding its specific biological target and mechanism of action (MoA). Multiple independent pharmaceutical databases and clinical trial resources consistently report the MoA for BI-1584862 as "Unknown" or "Undefined".[1] The available documentation from the provided sources does not contain details about the molecular pathway(s) targeted by the drug, such as whether it interacts with the complement system, inflammatory cascades, oxidative stress pathways, RPE cell health mechanisms, or other processes relevant to GA pathophysiology.
This absence of a disclosed MoA at the Phase II stage of development is noteworthy and represents a significant information gap for external assessment. While pharmaceutical companies often protect proprietary information, entering patient efficacy trials without a publicly understood biological rationale is less common. This situation could arise from various scenarios: Boehringer Ingelheim might be developing the drug against a novel, undisclosed target; the mechanism could be complex and not yet fully elucidated; or the drug might exert its effects through multiple pathways (pleiotropy), perhaps identified via phenotypic screening rather than target-based discovery.
Regardless of the underlying reason, this lack of mechanistic insight presents challenges for evaluating the program. It hinders the ability to assess the scientific plausibility of the therapeutic approach based on established GA biology. It also makes it difficult to anticipate potential on-target or off-target side effects related to pathway modulation or to compare BI-1584862's strategy directly with competitors targeting known pathways, such as the complement inhibitors.[19] Consequently, the interpretation of efficacy and safety data emerging from the ongoing Phase II JADE trial will initially occur without this crucial mechanistic context, placing greater emphasis on the empirical clinical outcomes. This positions BI-1584862 as a program with potentially high reward, should it prove effective via a novel or unexpected mechanism, but also carries inherent risks associated with the uncertainty surrounding its fundamental mode of interaction with the disease process.
BI-1584862 has progressed through early-stage clinical development and is currently being evaluated in a Phase II trial specifically targeting Geographic Atrophy secondary to AMD.[1] This follows the completion of several Phase I studies conducted in healthy volunteer populations.[1]
The pivotal study currently underway is the JADE trial (NCT06769048).[5]
Prior to initiating the Phase II JADE trial, Boehringer Ingelheim conducted a series of Phase I studies in healthy volunteers to establish the initial safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of BI-1584862.[1] These studies systematically addressed key considerations for an orally administered drug:
The sequential nature and specific objectives of these Phase I trials demonstrate a standard and thorough early clinical development strategy. Successfully addressing safety, dose-ranging pharmacokinetics, food effects, and potential metabolic interactions in healthy volunteers provides the necessary foundation for advancing an oral drug into patient populations for efficacy testing, as is now occurring with the JADE trial.
Table 2: Overview of BI-1584862 Clinical Trials
Trial ID (NCT) | Phase | Status | Population | Brief Objective/Focus | Route | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NCT06769048 | Phase II | Recruiting | GA Patients | Efficacy (GA progression, vision), Safety, Dose-finding | Oral | 1 |
NCT06148948 | Phase I | Completed | Healthy Volunteers | Safety, Tolerability, PK (Single Ascending Dose, Japanese) | Oral | 1 |
NCT06041438 | Phase I | Completed | Healthy Volunteers | Pharmacokinetics (Drug Interaction with Itraconazole) | Oral | 5 |
NCT05520827 | Phase I | Completed | Healthy Volunteers | Safety, Tolerability, PK, Food Effect | Oral | 1 |
NCT04194645 | Phase I | Completed* | Healthy Volunteers | Safety, Tolerability (Likely First-in-Human) | Oral | 29 |
*Status inferred from progression to later trials.
Table 3: Key Eligibility Criteria for Phase II JADE Trial (NCT06769048)
Key Inclusion Criteria | Key Exclusion Criteria |
---|---|
Age ≥55 years | History or evidence of exudative (wet) AMD in the study eye |
Diagnosis of Geographic Atrophy (GA) secondary to AMD in at least one eye, confirmed by Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF) | Prior GA treatment (pegcetacoplan/avacincaptad pegol) for ≥12 months OR ≥6 injections in study eye (shorter duration/fewer injections allowed with ≥4 month washout) |
Total GA lesion size in study eye ≥1.25 mm² and ≤12.0 mm² (determined by central reading center - CRC) | Prior or ongoing investigational oral treatment for GA (washout required: 4 months or 6-7 half-lives, whichever longer) |
If multiple lesions, at least one lesion must be ≥1.25 mm² | Uncontrolled glaucoma (cup-to-disc >0.8, IOP >24 mmHg, or >2 IOP meds) |
At least one GA lesion must be at least partly within a 1500 µm radius ring centered on the fovea | Clinically significant diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy |
Foveal center point must not be involved in any atrophic lesion | High myopia (spherical equivalent ≥ -8 diopters or axial length ≥27.2 mm) |
Lesion(s) must reside completely within the FAF image field (30 or 35 degrees) | Anterior segment/vitreous abnormalities precluding adequate OCT observation |
Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) score ≥50 letters (approx. ≥20/100 Snellen) in the study eye | Other ocular conditions interfering with trial outcome (investigator discretion) |
Hyperautofluorescence (any pattern) present in the junctional zone of GA in the study eye (assessed by CRC) | Active intraocular inflammation or infectious conjunctivitis |
Ability to provide informed consent; specific contraception requirements for participants of childbearing potential or male participants | Significant systemic disease or medical conditions that could put participant at risk, influence results, or affect compliance (investigator opinion) |
Known hypersensitivity to investigational product or excipients |
Source(s): [2]
Based on the information available in the provided sources, BI-1584862 does not currently possess any special regulatory designations from major health authorities like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Specifically, databases indicate no FDA designations such as Fast Track, Breakthrough Therapy, or Orphan Drug have been assigned.[1] Similarly, no EMA designations like Priority Medicines (PRIME) or Orphan Drug status are reported for BI-1584862.[4] While Boehringer Ingelheim utilizes such designations for other assets in its pipeline [11], and general information about these expedited pathways is available [2], none have been specifically attributed to the BI-1584862 program in the reviewed materials.
The absence of expedited pathway designations at this stage of development is not uncommon and does not necessarily reflect negatively on the program's potential. Designations like Fast Track can be requested relatively early if criteria related to serious conditions and unmet needs are met.[2] However, Breakthrough Therapy designation typically requires preliminary clinical evidence demonstrating substantial improvement over available therapies on a clinically significant endpoint [2], data which would likely not be available until results from the Phase II JADE trial emerge. Orphan Drug designation depends on the prevalence of the targeted condition or subpopulation; while specific rare forms of GA might qualify, GA secondary to AMD overall is generally too prevalent.[9] The regulatory status of BI-1584862 may evolve as more clinical data becomes available from the ongoing Phase II study.
BI-1584862 is an orally administered small molecule new molecular entity under development by Boehringer Ingelheim. It is currently advancing through Phase II clinical trials (specifically the JADE study, NCT06769048) for the treatment of Geographic Atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The program has successfully completed Phase I studies in healthy volunteers, which focused on establishing initial safety, characterizing pharmacokinetics, and investigating potential food effects and drug interactions pertinent to its oral route of administration.
Despite its progression into Phase II, significant uncertainties remain. Foremost among these is the lack of a disclosed mechanism of action. This information gap hinders a full understanding of the drug's biological rationale, its potential advantages or disadvantages compared to therapies targeting known pathways like complement, and the ability to anticipate specific efficacy or safety profiles. The ultimate therapeutic potential of BI-1584862 hinges on the outcomes of the ongoing JADE trial, which will provide the first efficacy and safety data in the target GA patient population.
The future trajectory of BI-1584862 depends critically on the results from the Phase II JADE study. Positive outcomes demonstrating a clinically meaningful slowing of GA progression and/or preservation of visual function, coupled with an acceptable safety profile, would be a major step forward. The oral route of administration represents a key potential advantage over current standard-of-care injectable therapies. If proven effective and safe, BI-1584862 could significantly alter the treatment landscape for GA by offering a more convenient therapeutic option, potentially improving patient adherence and reducing overall treatment burden. However, demonstrating efficacy for an eye disease with a systemically administered oral drug presents challenges, and the potential for systemic adverse events must be carefully evaluated. The magnitude of the treatment effect observed in Phase II, the clarity of the dose-response relationship, and the overall benefit-risk assessment will determine progression to Phase III. Disclosure of the mechanism of action would greatly facilitate the interpretation of clinical results and provide a clearer view of the drug's long-term potential.
Consequently, BI-1584862 represents a program with the potential for high impact, given its novel route of administration for GA, but it also carries substantial risk due to the unknown mechanism and the inherent challenges of developing an oral therapy for a complex retinal disease. The results of the JADE trial are therefore highly anticipated by the ophthalmology and pharmaceutical communities.
BI-1584862 is an orally administered small molecule NME being developed by Boehringer Ingelheim, currently in a Phase II dose-finding trial (JADE, NCT06769048) for non-foveal Geographic Atrophy secondary to AMD. Its primary differentiating feature is the oral route of administration, offering potential convenience advantages over existing intravitreal therapies. Phase I studies in healthy volunteers have established foundational safety and pharmacokinetic data, including assessments of food effects and drug interactions. However, the mechanism of action remains undisclosed, representing a key uncertainty for the program. The ongoing JADE trial is crucial for establishing proof-of-concept regarding efficacy in slowing GA progression and/or preserving vision, defining the safety profile in patients, and identifying an optimal dose. Successful Phase II results could position BI-1584862 as a significant advancement in GA treatment, but the program faces the challenges associated with demonstrating ocular efficacy via systemic administration and the risks inherent in an unknown mechanism of action. The outcome of the JADE trial will be pivotal in determining the future development path and potential clinical role of BI-1584862.
Published at: April 30, 2025
This report is continuously updated as new research emerges.