Age-related Macular Degeneration
Pipeline by Development Stage
Drug Modality Breakdown
Ophthalmology is a $3.7B market with a mature, consolidating portfolio dominated by glaucoma treatments and emerging corneal/retinal therapies.
Key Trends
- Glaucoma therapeutics (prostaglandin analogs, adrenergic agents) represent 60%+ of spending but face patent cliffs 2028-2034
- Innovative mechanisms (NGF agonists, LFA-1 antagonists, RTKIs) gaining traction in dry eye and retinal disease segments
- Heavy trial activity (2,656 total) skewed toward Phase 4 (369) and Phase 3 (442), indicating mature clinical development landscape
Career Verdict
Ophthalmology offers stable mid-career opportunities with strong Commercial and Medical Affairs salaries, but limited innovation catalysts and significant patent cliff risk warrant careful timing of entry.
AI-generated market analysis based on FDA, CMS, ClinicalTrials.gov, and hiring data
Market Leaders
| # | Product | Company | Revenue | Share | Stage | Trend | LOE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LUMIGAN (Bimatoprost) | AbbVie | $697M | 19% | LOE_APPROACHING | Declining | |
| 2 | OXERVATE (Cenegermin-BKBJ) | Unspecified | $493M | 13% | PEAK | Stable | |
| 3 | XIIDRA (Lifitegrast) | Bausch + Lomb | $473M | 13% | PEAK | Stable | 7.6yr |
| 4 | INLYTA (Axitinib) | Pfizer | $467M | 13% | PEAK | Growing | 11.2yr |
| 5 | HUMIRA (Adalimumab) | AbbVie | $258M | 7% | LOE_APPROACHING | Declining |
Drug Class Breakdown
mature, losing exclusivity
peak growth in corneal disease
sustained peak sales
expanding in retinal indications
mature, multiple LOE approaching
mature, losing exclusivity
mature immunology approach
Career Outlook
StableOphthalmology offers predictable mid-career growth with strong Commercial ($158K) and Medical Affairs ($247K) compensation but faces structural headwinds: patent cliffs 2028-2034 eliminate $97M in revenue, glaucoma franchise maturity limits blockbuster potential, and modest trial volume (2,656) signals incremental R&D expansion. Best suited for professionals seeking stable roles in established therapeutic areas rather than disruptive innovation.
Breaking In
Enter via Clinical Operations or Commercial analyst roles at CROs (Syneos 210 jobs) or large diagnostics players (Labcorp 904) to build domain expertise before targeting pharma MSL/Medical Affairs positions.
For Experienced Professionals
Experienced professionals should prioritize Medical Affairs and Market Access roles leveraging mature market knowledge; avoid product-specific expertise in glaucoma due to patent cliff concentration, and consider adjacent areas (retinal, corneal) where innovation catalysts remain.
In-Demand Skills
Best For
Hiring Landscape
Ophthalmology hiring (3,202 jobs) is distributed across diagnostics/devices (Labcorp 904, Abbott 348) and pharma commercial functions rather than concentrated in R&D. Top pharmaceutical employers (Pfizer 60, AstraZeneca 100, Regeneron 168) show modest pharma-specific headcount relative to market size, suggesting outsourced CRO and distributor dependency. Medical Affairs ($247K avg salary) commands premium compensation, signaling high barrier to entry but strong mid-career upside.
Top Hiring Companies
By Department
Clinical Operations and Commercial roles offer entry-level stability ($150K-$158K); Medical Affairs commands premium salaries ($247K) but requires advanced credentials; limited R&D hiring (207 jobs) suggests constrained innovation investment.
On Market (1)
Approved therapies currently available
Competitive Landscape
36 companies ranked by most advanced pipeline stage
+6 more companies
Trial Timeline
Clinical trial activity over time
Showing 15 of 50 trials with date data
Clinical Trials (50)
Total enrollment: 9,783 patients across 50 trials
Ocular Safety and Usability Study for FYB203 PFS
Ocular Safety and Usability Study for FYB201 PFS
Efficacy and Safety of Two Different Brolucizumab 6 mg Dosing Regimens in Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration
Comparison of PDT Combination With Ranibizumab vs. Ranibizumab Monotherapy in Persistent PCV With Initial Loading Dose
Head to Head Study of Anti-VEGF Treatment.
A Comparison of Ranibizumab and Aflibercept for the Development of Geographic Atrophy in (Wet) AMD Patients
Visual Outcome in Patients With Symptomatic Macular Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy (PCV) Treated With Either Ranibizumab as Monotherapy or Combined With Verteporfin Photodynamic Therapy (vPDT)
Extension Study to Gather Data on Effect of Macugen on the Corneal Endothelium
Comparison of Safety, Effectiveness and Quality of Life Outcomes Between Labeled Versus "Treat and Extend" Regimen in Turkish Patients With Choroidal Neovascularisation Due to Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Combination Lucentis and Ocular Photodynamic Therapy With Visudyne, With Evaluation-based Retreatment
Lucentis Utilizing Visudyne (LUV Trial) Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Macugen (Pegaptanib Sodium) Alone, Versus Macugen in Combination With PDT (Photodynamic Therapy) With Visudyne (Verteporfin) in Patients With Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Photodynamic Therapy in Occult-Only Lesions (POOL)
Adjunct Episcleral Brachytherapy for PCV
Prospective triAl of Modified Treat-and-extend Regimens With BroLucizumab in pachychOroid Neovasculopathy
A 3-month Study to Compare the Safety of ONS-5010 in Vials Versus Pre-filled Syringe in Subjects With Visual Impairment Due to Retinal Disorders
A 3-month Study to Assess the Safety of ONS-5010 in Subjects With Visual Impairment Due to Retinal Disorders
Efficacy and Safety of Aflibercept in Patients With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration
Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Brolucizumab 6mg Compared to Aflibercept 2 mg in a Treat-to-control Regimen (TALON)
A Clinical Effectiveness Study Examining the Efficacy and Safety of ONS-5010 in Subjects With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Study to Collect Safety and ECG Data on Brolucizumab 6 mg Intravitreal Treatment in Patients With Wet AMD
Study of Safety and Efficacy of Brolucizumab 6 mg Dosed Every 4 Weeks Compared to Aflibercept 2 mg Dosed Every 4 Weeks in Patients With Retinal Fluid Despite Frequent Anti-VEGF Injections
A Clinical Effectiveness Study Examining the Efficacy and Safety of ONS-5010 in Subjects With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
A Study to Compare SB11 (Proposed Ranibizumab Biosimilar) to Lucentis in Subjects With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
A Phase 3 Safety and Efficacy Study of Fovista® (E10030) Intravitreous Administration in Combination With Either Avastin® or Eylea® Compared to Avastin® or Eylea® Monotherapy
Randomized Study for Efficacy and Safety of Ranibizumab 0.5mg in Treat-extend and Monthly Regimens in Patients With nAMD
A Phase 3 Safety and Efficacy Study of Fovista® (E10030) Intravitreous Administration in Combination With Lucentis® Compared to Lucentis® Monotherapy
A Phase 3 Safety and Efficacy Study of Fovista® (E10030) Intravitreous Administration in Combination With Lucentis® Compared to Lucentis® Monotherapy
Subretinal Macugen® for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Lucentis for Age-related Macular Degeneration Pigment Epithelial Detachments
Study of the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of 1 Mg/Eye and 3 Mg/Eye Pegaptanib Sodium in Patients With Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
A Clinical Trial to Explore Safety and Efficacy of Different Doses of Pegaptanib Sodium, Compared to Sham, in Patients With Wet AMD.
Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Oral CT1812 in Participants With Geographic Atrophy (GA) Secondary to Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
A Masked, Placebo-controlled Study to Assess Iptacopan in Age-related Macular Degeneration
A Phase Ⅱ Clinical Study of Sanhuangjingshimingwan in Wet( Neovascular)Age-related Macular Degeneration(wAMD) Subjects
ReCLAIM-2 Study to Evaluate Safety,Efficacy & Pharmacokinetics of Elamipretide in Subjects With AMD With Non-central GA
A Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability and Effectiveness of MT-0814 for the Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration
Study Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal Injections of DE-122 in Combination With Lucentis® Compared to Lucentis® Monotherapy in Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration Subjects
A 24 Month Phase 2a Open Label, Randomized Study of Avastin®, Lucentis®, or Eylea® (Anti-VEGF Therapy) Administered in Combination With Fovista® (Anti-PDGF BB Pegylated Aptamer)
Metformin for the Minimization of Geographic Atrophy Progression in Patients With AMD
IAI Versus Sham as Prophylaxis Against Conversion to Neovascular AMD
A Safety and Efficacy Study of DE-120 Injectable Solution for Age-related Macular Degeneration
Phase 2A Open Label Safety Study of Fovista® (Anti-PDGF BB) Regimen Administered in Combination With Anti-VEGF Therapy to Study Sub-Retinal Fibrosis in Neovascular AMD
Evaluation of AGN-150998 in Exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
A Safety and Efficacy Study of E10030 (Anti-PDGF Pegylated Aptamer) Plus Lucentis for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Phase 2 Study of an Ocular Sirolimus (Rapamycin) Formulation in Combination With Lucentis® in Patients With Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Study Of Combined VISUDYNE Therapy With Kenalog In CNV Secondary To Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Safety and Tolerability of KH658 Gene Therapy in Subjects With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (nAMD)
Study of VOY-101 in Patients With Advanced Non-Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Safety and Tolerability of KH631 Gene Therapy in Subjects With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (nAMD)
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Key Insights
The information on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Drug information is sourced from FDA, DailyMed, and other government databases. Adverse event data from FAERS does not establish causation. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical decisions.