Alexion Pharmaceuticals has synthesized new macrocycle compounds acting as complement factor B inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, retinal degeneration, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and cardiovascular disorders.

Researchers are closer to better diagnosing and treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after discovering new genetic signatures of the disease by reprogramming stem cells to generate high-resolution disease models.