From the American Academy of Ophthalmology

This randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2 study evaluated the safety and pharmacodynamics of emixustat hydrochloride in 72 patients with geographic atrophy associated with dry AMD. Emixustat is the first compound in a new therapeutic drug class called a visual cycle modulator. Taken orally, the nonretinoid compound is designed to reduce the accumulation of vitamin A-based toxins by slowing visual cycle activity. At 90 days, emixustat suppressed rod photoreceptor sensitivity in a dose-dependent manner. The authors showed emixustat produced a dose-dependent reversible effect on rod function that is consistent with the proposed mechanism of action. Retina, June 2015