Intermediate AMD market size across the 7MM reached approximately USD 990 million in 2023

According to DelveInsight's analysis, the intermediate AMD market size is anticipated to grow with a significant CAGR during the forecast period (2024-2034). In 2023, the total intermediate AMD market size across the 7MM reached approximately USD 990 million, representing substantial commercial potential in this underserved therapeutic area.

The US accounted for the largest market share across these 7MM, with ~USD 540 million. Moreover, EU4 and the UK accounted for nearly USD 320 million in 2023.

According to DelveInsight's epidemiological analysis, the US accounted for the highest prevalence of intermediate AMD among the 7MM in 2023, with around 20 million cases. The age specific data reveals that AMD represents a leading cause of severe vision loss in people over age 60, with intermediate AMD serving as a critical clinical distinction due to the elevated risk of progression to more advanced AMD stages. Furthermore, it is also observed that intermediate AMD was most prevalent in the 65-84 years age group, accounting for over 45% of total cases in 2023.

 The intermediate AMD treatment market is experiencing significant expansion, driven by increasing disease awareness, rising prevalence, and breakthrough therapies from key pharmaceutical players, including Novartis and Allegro Ophthalmics, among others. The market represents a critical therapeutic area addressing age-related macular degeneration at the intermediate stage, where patients face substantial risk of progression to more advanced forms of the disease.

DelveInsight's "Intermediate AMD Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034" report delivers an in-depth understanding of the intermediate AMD treatment market, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as market trends across the US, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan. The report comprehensively evaluates the current treatment landscape, emerging therapies, market share of individual treatments, and intermediate AMD market forecasts through 2034, providing crucial insights for stakeholders in the intermediate AMD therapeutic area. 

Intermediate AMD Overview

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of severe vision loss in people over 60. Intermediate AMD (iAMD) is clinically critical, as it increases the risk of progression to advanced stages, yet limited understanding of its pathophysiology hinders treatment development. Early detection of biomarkers is essential for timely intervention and personalized management.

Screening for AMD is not routinely performed in the EU, and treatment access varies geographically, with rural patients often facing longer wait times. No curative therapies exist for iAMD, and only a few clinical trials are ongoing. Treatments that stabilize mitochondria, like Allegro’s Risuteganib, have shown improvements in visual acuity, while AlphaRET 2RT offers potential for early-stage intervention to prevent late-stage progression.

Lifestyle modifications - such as quitting smoking, managing blood pressure, and healthy diet - may reduce progression risk. Given the high unmet need and potential to prevent costly wet AMD, payers are likely to support new therapies. The ForeseeHome program by Notal Vision enables at-home monitoring to detect conversion to neovascular AMD early, reducing vision loss risk.

Currently, Novartis (Iptacopan) and Allegro Ophthalmics (Risuteganib) are the main active pipeline players. Antioxidant supplementation (AREDS2) is recommended for intermediate or advanced AMD but has no proven preventive benefit for patients without AMD.

Intermediate AMD Epidemiology

In 2023, the US had the highest prevalence of intermediate AMD (~19.86 million cases), with numbers expected to rise. In EU4 and the UK, Germany had the highest prevalence, while Spain had the lowest. In Japan, over 45% of intermediate AMD cases occurred in the 65–84 years age group.

Emerging Drugs for Intermediate AMD

Iptacopan (LNP023) – Novartis

Iptacopan is an oral small-molecule inhibitor of complement factor B (FB) with immunomodulatory potential. By blocking FB, it prevents formation of the alternative pathway C3-convertase, limiting C3 activation and potentially reducing complement-mediated damage in disorders like intermediate AMD, C3 glomerulopathy, and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). In December 2023, the FDA approved Iptacopan (FABHALTA) as the first oral monotherapy for adults with PNH. Novartis is now evaluating Iptacopan in a Phase II trial for early and intermediate AMD.

Risuteganib (ALG-1001) – Allegro Ophthalmics

Risuteganib is an integrin-regulating therapy targeting mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in intermediate dry AMD. By modulating multiple pathways, it restores retinal homeostasis and mitigates cellular stress. Allegro Ophthalmics has obtained FDA agreement under Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) for its Phase IIb/III trial, with the protocol finalized for testing in patients with intermediate, non-exudative AMD.

Key Intermediate AMD Market Drivers

• The global rise in aging population directly contributes to higher AMD incidence, as individuals aged 65 and older are most at risk.​
• Growing clinical recognition of intermediate AMD and risk of progression to advanced stages stimulate demand for early diagnosis and intervention.​
• Major unmet need for effective treatments at the intermediate stage drives investment, R&D, and product launches focused on slowing disease progression and enhancing patient quality of life.​
• Advances in early diagnostic technologies (e.g., improved retinal imaging) and the development of novel therapeutics (including anti-VEGF drugs, long-acting biologics, gene therapies, and sustained-release implants) fuel market expansion and treatment adherence.​
• Increased awareness through governmental and healthcare campaigns and improved patient education are facilitating earlier treatment and creating new market opportunities, especially in developed regions.​

Intermediate AMD Market Barriers

• Limited understanding of the pathology and progression of intermediate AMD restricts drug development success rates and slows market growth.​
• Frequent intravitreal injections and the invasive nature of current treatments lead to poor patient compliance and discourage long-term adherence.​
• High cost of novel therapies (anti-VEGF, gene therapies, etc.) presents financial barriers for patients and health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income markets.​
• Geographical disparity in ophthalmic care, with rural or developing regions facing limited access to diagnostic tools, skilled specialists, and advanced therapies; this impedes timely diagnosis and market uptake.​
• Regulatory hurdles (health authority approvals, reimbursement restrictions, and HTA reviews) may slow adoption of innovative therapies and specialty medications despite clinical demand.​
• Lack of validated clinical endpoints for intermediate AMD in trials may limit approvals and reimbursement of new treatments, further delaying therapeutic innovation.​