ClinicalTrials.gg
RecruitingNCT07705607Updated Nov 3, 2026

A Clinical Trial of MK-8748 Compared to Aflibercept in Participants With Diabetic Macular Edema (MK-8748-005)

A Phase 3 interventional study of MK-8748 and Aflibercept in Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Edema, sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. Recruiting at 20 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-03.

Sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC (part of Merck & Co., Inc) · Phase 3, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Started Sep 2026; still recruiting 1 month later.
Updated Nov 3, 2026Now RecruitingFirst site in United States+3 moreGo to Updates ↓
Phase
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
1,104
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Researchers are looking for new ways to treat diabetic macular edema (DME). In this trial, researchers want to learn if a trial medicine called MK-8748 can treat DME. An available standard (usual) treatment for DME is aflibercept. However, standard treatments such as aflibercept may not work for every person.

The main goal of this trial is to learn if MK-8748 works as well as aflibercept to treat DME.

02

Conditions studied

  • Diabetic Retinopathy
  • Macular Edema

Keywords

  • Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
03

In context

Diabetic Retinopathy

778 studies on the registry are indexed under Diabetic Retinopathy; 142 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 1,104 is above the median of 80 across 481 interventional studies indexed under Diabetic Retinopathy.

Browse Diabetic Retinopathy studies →

Lead sponsor

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC is the lead sponsor of 2,166 studies on the registry; 132 are open to participants now.

Of its 501 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 370 (74%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

The main inclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following:

  • Has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus and a (HbA1c) of ≤12%
  • Has a decrease in vision in the study eye determined by the Investigator to be primarily the result of diabetic macular edema (DME)
  • For participants who are treatment-naïve for DME, the diagnosis must have been made within 9 months of screening. For all treatment-experienced participants, the first treatment should have been no longer than 3 years prior to the Screening visit

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

The main exclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following:

  • Has had renal failure requiring renal transplant, hemodialysis, or peritoneal dialysis or has renal failure anticipated to require hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis at any time during the study
  • Has history of stroke (cerebral vascular accident) or myocardial infarction within 180 days to first dose of study intervention
  • Has newly diagnosed or previously untreated diabetes mellitus and initiated oral or injectable anti-diabetic medication within 3 months to first dose of study intervention
  • Has history of cataract surgery and/or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery in the study eye within 90 days of screening
  • Has any treatment for complications of cataract surgery with or yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser capsulotomy in the study eye within 90 days of screening
  • Has advanced or uncontrolled glaucoma in the study eye
  • Has any history of retinal detachment or treatment or surgery for retinal detachment in the study eye
  • Has active retinal disease other than the condition under investigation in the study eye
  • Has uncontrolled blood pressure at screening
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(2)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

HbA1c

A blood test of average blood sugar over the past two to three months, given as a percentage or in mmol/mol. 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is the usual threshold for diabetes, normally confirmed by a second test.

Corticosteroids (steroids)

Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.

Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.

05

Study design

Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
1,104 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    MK-8748 Low Dose

    Participants receive 5 initial administrations of MK-8748 low dose every 4 weeks (Q4W), then continue to receive MK-8748 low dose every 8 weeks (Q8W) until week 48. After week 48, participants will be treated at intervals determined based on individualized response to treatment, up to week 100.

    Drug: MK-8748

  • Experimental
    MK-8748 High Dose

    Participants receive 5 initial administrations of MK-8748 high dose every 4 weeks (Q4W), then continue to receive MK-8748 high dose every 8 weeks (Q8W) until week 48. After week 48, participants will be treated at intervals determined based on individualized response to treatment, up to week 100.

    Drug: MK-8748

  • Active comparator
    Aflibercept 2 mg

    Participants receive 5 initial administrations of aflibercept 2 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W), then continue to receive aflibercept 2mg every 8 weeks (Q8W) until week 100.

    Drug: Aflibercept

Interventions

  • DrugMK-8748

    Administered by intravitreal injection (IVT)

    Also known as: EYE201, Tiespectus

  • Administered by intravitreal injection (IVT)

    Also known as: Eylea

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Mean Change in Best-Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) (Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] Letters) From Baseline to Year 1

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. Mean change in ETDRS letters from baseline to Year 1 will be assessed.

    Time frame: Baseline and 1 Year

Secondary outcomes

  1. Mean Change in Central Subfield Thickness (CST) from Baseline to Week 52

    Central subfield thickness (CST) in the study eye will be measured in microns using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The mean change in CST from baseline to Year 1 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 52

  2. Mean Change in CST from Baseline Over Time

    Central subfield thickness (CST) in the study eye will be measured in microns using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The mean change in CST from baseline over time will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

  3. Time to Absence of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) at Week 52

    The absence of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is defined as a Central Subfield Thickness (CST) of \<300 μm measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The time to absence of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) in the study eye up to Week 52 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately Week 52

  4. Proportion of Participants with Absence of Intraretinal Fluid Over Time

    Participants' intraretinal fluid in the study eye will be measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The proportion of participants with absence of intraretinal fluid over time will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

  5. Proportion of Participants with Absence of Subretinal Fluid Over Time

    Participants' subretinal fluid in the study eye will be measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The proportion of participants with absence of subretinal fluid over time will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

  6. Proportion of Participants with Absence of Intraretinal Fluid and Subretinal Fluid Over Time

    Participants' subretinal fluid and intraretinal fluid in the study eye will be measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The proportion of participants with absence of intraretinal and subretinal fluid over time will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

  7. Proportion of Participants with Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS) Score Improvement of ≥2 Steps from Baseline to Year 1

    The Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS) classifies diabetic retinopathy (DR) into 12 severity steps ranging from absence of retinopathy to advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). DRSS grades= 10 (DR absent) - 85 (very advanced PDR), DRSS 90 = ungradable. All DRSS values are converted into a 12-level scale, from 1 (DR absent) to 12 (very advanced PDR), allowing derivation of ≥2-step change from baseline for post-baseline assessment. A lower score represents less advanced diabetic retinopathy. The proportion of participants with ≥2 step improvement in DRSS score from baseline to year 1 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 1 Year

  8. Proportion of Participants with DRSS Score Improvement of ≥3 Steps from Baseline to Year 1

    The Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS) classifies diabetic retinopathy (DR) into 12 severity steps ranging from absence of retinopathy to advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). DRSS grades= 10 (DR absent) - 85 (very advanced PDR), DRSS 90 = ungradable. All DRSS values are converted into a 12-level scale, from 1 (DR absent) to 12 (very advanced PDR), allowing derivation of ≥2-step change from baseline for post-baseline assessment. A lower score represents less advanced diabetic retinopathy. The proportion of participants with ≥3 step improvement in DRSS score from baseline to year 1 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 1 Year

  9. Proportion of Participants with Resolution of Macular Leakage on Fluorescein Angiography (FA) at Week 24

    Fluorescein Angiography (FA) images will be used to determine the resolution of macular leakage in the study eye, defined as 0 to 1 mm\^2. The proportion of participants with resolution of macular leakage at Week 24 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately Week 24

  10. Mean change in Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Central Subfield Thickness (CST) from Baseline to Week 104

    Central subfield thickness (CST) in the study eye will be measured in microns using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The mean change in OCT CST from baseline to Week 104 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 104

  11. Proportion of Participants with DRSS Score Improvement of ≥2 Steps from Baseline to Week 104

    The Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS) classifies diabetic retinopathy (DR) into 12 severity steps ranging from absence of retinopathy to advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). DRSS grades= 10 (DR absent) - 85 (very advanced PDR), DRSS 90 = ungradable. All DRSS values are converted into a 12-level scale, from 1 (DR absent) to 12 (very advanced PDR), allowing derivation of ≥2-step change from baseline for post-baseline assessment. A lower score represents less advanced diabetic retinopathy. The proportion of participants with ≥2 step improvement in DRSS score from baseline to week 104 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 104

  12. Proportion of Participants with DRSS Score Improvement of ≥3 Steps from Baseline to Week 104

    The Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS) classifies diabetic retinopathy (DR) into 12 severity steps ranging from absence of retinopathy to advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). DRSS grades= 10 (DR absent) - 85 (very advanced PDR), DRSS 90 = ungradable. All DRSS values are converted into a 12-level scale, from 1 (DR absent) to 12 (very advanced PDR), allowing derivation of ≥2-step change from baseline for post-baseline assessment. A lower score represents less advanced diabetic retinopathy. The proportion of participants with ≥3 step improvement in DRSS score from baseline to week 104 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 104

  13. Proportion of Participants Without Retinal Fluid at the Foveal Center on OCT at Week 104

    Optical coherence tomography (OCT) will be used to measure retinal fluid at the foveal center of the study eye. The proportion of participants without retinal fluid at the foveal center on OCT at Week 104 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately Week 104

  14. Mean change in Foveal Avascular Zone (FAZ) Area on Fluorescein Angiography (FA) from Baseline to Year 1

    Fluorescein Angiography (FA) images will be used to measure the Foveal Avascular Zone (FAZ) area of the study eye. The mean change in FAZ area on FA from baseline to year 1 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 1 Year

  15. Proportion of Participants with Reduction in FAZ Area on FA from Baseline to Year 1

    Fluorescein Angiography (FA) images will be used to measure the Foveal Avascular Zone (FAZ) area of the study eye. The proportion of participants with reduction of FAZ area on FA from baseline to year 1 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 1 Year

  16. Proportion of Participants Without Retinal Fluid at the Foveal Center at Week 52

    Participants' retinal fluid in the study eye will be measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The proportion of participants without retinal fluid at the foveal center at week 52 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately Week 52

  17. Mean Number of Intravitreal (IVT) Injections from Week 56 to Week 104

    The mean number of intravitreal (IVT) Injections from week 56 to week 104 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 48 Weeks

  18. Proportion of Participants on a Personalized Treatment Interval (PTI) of every 8 weeks (Q8W) at Week 104

    The proportion of participants on a personalized treatment interval (PTI) of every 8 weeks (Q8W) at Week 104 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately Week 104

  19. Proportion of Participants on a Personalized Treatment Interval (PTI) of every 12 weeks (Q12W) at Week 104

    The proportion of participants on a personalized treatment interval (PTI) of every 12 weeks (Q12W) at Week 104 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately Week 104

  20. Proportion of Participants on a Personalized Treatment Interval (PTI) of every 16 weeks (Q16W) at Week 104

    The proportion of participants on a personalized treatment interval (PTI) of every 16 weeks (Q16W) at Week 104 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately Week 104

  21. Proportion of Participants who Gain ≥5 ETDRS Letters from Baseline to Year 1

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The proportion of participants who gain ≥5 ETDRS letters from baseline to year 1 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 1 Year

  22. Proportion of Participants who Gain ≥10 ETDRS Letters from Baseline to Year 1

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The proportion of participants who gain ≥10 ETDRS letters from baseline to year 1 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 1 Year

  23. Proportion of Participants who Gain ≥15 ETDRS Letters from Baseline to Year 1

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The proportion of participants who gain ≥15 ETDRS letters from baseline to year 1 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 1 Year

  24. Proportion of Participants who Lose ≥5 ETDRS Letters from Baseline to Year 1

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The proportion of participants who lose ≥5 ETDRS letters from baseline to year 1 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 1 Year

  25. Proportion of Participants who Lose ≥10 ETDRS Letters from Baseline to Year 1

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The proportion of participants who lose ≥10 ETDRS letters from baseline to year 1 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 1 Year

  26. Proportion of participants who Lose ≥15 ETDRS Letters from Baseline to Year 1

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The proportion of participants who lose ≥15 ETDRS letters from baseline to year 1 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 1 Year

  27. Time to gain ≥5 ETDRS Letters Over Time

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The time to gain ≥5 ETDRS letters over time will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

  28. Time to gain ≥10 ETDRS Letters at Week 52

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The time to gain ≥10 ETDRS letters up to Week 52 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately Week 52

  29. Time to gain ≥15 ETDRS letters at Week 52

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The time to gain ≥15 ETDRS letters up to Week 52 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately Week 52

  30. Mean Change in BCVA (ETDRS letters) from Baseline Over Time

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The mean change in BCVA (ETDRS) letters from baseline over time will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 Years

  31. Proportion of Participants with BCVA Snellen Equivalent of 20/20 or Better at Year 1

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The number of letters read correctly, Snellen fraction are converted to a decimal scale. There are 11 lines on a standard Snellen chart ranging from 0.1 (20/200) at worst to 2.0 (20/10) at best. 20/20 on the decimal scale is equal to 1.0. The higher the number of letters read correctly (higher number on the decimal scale), the better the vision (or visual acuity). The Snellen equivalent of 20/20 or better is defined as ≥84 letters correctly read in the ETDRS chart. The proportion of participants with BCVA Snellen equivalent of 20/20 or better at year 1 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 1 year

  32. Proportion of Participants with BCVA Snellen equivalent of 20/200 or Worse at Year 1

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The number of letters read correctly, Snellen fraction are converted to a decimal scale. There are 11 lines on a standard Snellen chart ranging from 0.1 (20/200) at worst to 2.0 (20/10) at best. 20/20 on the decimal scale is equal to 1.0. The higher the number of letters read correctly (higher number on the decimal scale), the better the vision (or visual acuity). The Snellen equivalent of 20/200 or worse is defined as ≤38 letters correctly read in the ETDRS chart. The proportion of participants with BCVA Snellen equivalent of 20/200 or Worse at year 1 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 1 year

  33. Proportion of Participants with BCVA Snellen Equivalent of 20/40 or Better at Year 1

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The number of letters read correctly, Snellen fraction are converted to a decimal scale. There are 11 lines on a standard Snellen chart ranging from 0.1 (20/200) at worst to 2.0 (20/10) at best. 20/20 on the decimal scale is equal to 1.0. The higher the number of letters read correctly (higher number on the decimal scale), the better the vision (or visual acuity). The Snellen equivalent of 20/40 or better is defined as ≥69 letters correctly read in the ETDRS chart. The proportion of participants with BCVA Snellen equivalent of 20/40 or better at year 1 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 1 year

  34. Mean Change in BCVA from Baseline to Year 2

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. Mean change in ETDRS letters from baseline to year 2 will be assessed.

    Time frame: Baseline and Year 2

  35. Proportion of Participants with BCVA Snellen Equivalent of 20/40 or Better at Year 2

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The number of letters read correctly, Snellen fraction are converted to a decimal scale. There are 11 lines on a standard Snellen chart ranging from 0.1 (20/200) at worst to 2.0 (20/10) at best. 20/20 on the decimal scale is equal to 1.0. The higher the number of letters read correctly (higher number on the decimal scale), the better the vision (or visual acuity). The Snellen equivalent of 20/40 or better is defined as ≥69 letters correctly read in the ETDRS chart. The proportion of participants with BCVA Snellen equivalent of 20/40 or better at year 2 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

  36. Proportion of Participants with BCVA Snellen Equivalent of 20/200 or Worse at Year 2

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The number of letters read correctly, Snellen fraction are converted to a decimal scale. There are 11 lines on a standard Snellen chart ranging from 0.1 (20/200) at worst to 2.0 (20/10) at best. 20/20 on the decimal scale is equal to 1.0. The higher the number of letters read correctly (higher number on the decimal scale), the better the vision (or visual acuity). The Snellen equivalent of 20/200 or worse is defined as ≤38 letters correctly read in the ETDRS chart. The proportion of participants with BCVA Snellen equivalent of 20/200 or Worse at year 2 will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

  37. Proportion of Participants who Gain ≥5 ETDRS Letters from Baseline to Year 2

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The proportion of participants who gain ≥5 ETDRS Letters from baseline to year 2 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 Years

  38. Proportion of Participants who Gain ≥10 ETDRS Letters from Baseline to Year 2

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The proportion of participants who gain ≥10 ETDRS Letters from baseline to year 2 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 Years

  39. Proportion of Participants who Gain ≥15 ETDRS Letters from Baseline to Year 2

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The proportion of participants who gain ≥15 ETDRS letters from baseline to year 2 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 Years

  40. Proportion of Participants who Lose ≥5 ETDRS Letters from Baseline to Year 2

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The proportion of participants who lose ≥5 ETDRS Letters baseline to year 2 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline to 2 Years

  41. Proportion of Participants who Lose ≥10 ETDRS Letters from Baseline to Year 2

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The proportion of participants who lose ≥10 ETDRS letters from baseline to year 2 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline to 2 Years

  42. Proportion of Participants who Lose ≥15 ETDRS Letters from Baseline to Year 2

    Participants' BCVA in the study eye will be measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) methodology. The ETDRS letter score ranges from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better visual acuity. The proportion of participants who lose ≥15 ETDRS Letters from baseline to year 2 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 years

  43. Change from Baseline in National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) Version Composite Score at Week 48

    The NEI-VFQ-25 is a validated and reliable 25-item survey that measures the influence of visual disability and visual symptoms on generic health domains (emotional well-being, social functioning and task-oriented domains). The composite score ranges from 0-100 with the higher score indicating better visual function. The change from baseline in NEI-VFQ-25 version composite score at week 48 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 48

  44. Change from Baseline in National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) Version Composite Score at Week 104

    The NEI-VFQ-25 is a validated and reliable 25-item survey that measures the influence of visual disability and visual symptoms on generic health domains (emotional well-being, social functioning and task-oriented domains). The composite score ranges from 0-100 with the higher score indicating better visual function. The change from baseline in NEI-VFQ-25 version composite score at week 104 will be presented.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 104

  45. Number of Participants who Experience a Systemic Adverse Events (AEs)

    An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. The number of participants who experience a systemic AE will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

  46. Number of Participants who Experience an Ocular Adverse Events (AEs)

    An ocular adverse event (OAE) is defined as any untoward medical occurrence involving the eye or ocular adnexa (including eyelids, conjunctiva, lacrimal apparatus, extraocular muscles, and orbit) that: Occurs or worsens after the first administration of the investigational product (IP) or a study-related ocular procedure, and does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the IP or procedure. OAEs include, but are not limited to, changes in: Symptoms (e.g., ocular pain, photophobia, floaters, blurred vision), Visual function (e.g., best-corrected visual acuity \[BCVA\], visual field). Intraocular pressure (IOP), Anterior segment findings (e.g., conjunctival hyperemia, keratitis, anterior chamber inflammation), Posterior segment findings (e.g., vitreous inflammation, retinal hemorrhages, retinal tears or detachment, macular edema), or ocular adnexa (e.g., eyelid edema, ptosis). The number of participants who experience an ocular AE will be presented.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

  47. Number of Participants who Discontinue Study Treatment Due to an AE

    An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. The number of participants who discontinue study treatment due to an AE will be reported.

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

  48. Number of Participants with Antidrug Antibodies (ADA) to MK-8748

    Blood samples collected at designated timepoints will be used to determine the ADA response to MK-8748. The number of participants with ADA to MK-8748 will be presented.

    Time frame: At designated time points (up to approximately 104 weeks)

  49. Maximum Plasma Concentration (Cmax) of MK-8748

    Cmax is defined as the peak concentration over the dosing interval. Blood samples collected pre-dose and at multiple timepoints post-dose will be used to determine Cmax of MK-8748.

    Time frame: At designated time points (up to approximately 104 weeks)

  50. Plasma Trough Concentration (Ctrough) of MK-8748

    Ctrough is defined as the trough concentration. Blood samples collected pre-dose and at multiple timepoints post-dose will be used to determine Ctrough of MK-8748.

    Time frame: At designated time points (up to approximately 104 weeks)

07

Study locations

20 of 20 sites recruiting
  • South Coast Retina Center ( Site 0121)
    Long Beach, California 90807, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact562-984-7024
  • Retina Group of New England ( Site 0101)
    Waterford, Connecticut 06385, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact860-444-1292
  • Florida Retina Institute ( Site 0035)
    Orlando, Florida 32806, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact407-849-9621
  • Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida ( Site 0036)
    St. Petersburg, Florida 33711, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact727-323-0077
  • Center for Retina and Macular Disease ( Site 0047)
    Winter Haven, Florida 33880, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact863-297-5400
  • Associated Vitreoretinal and Uveitis Consultants ( Site 0099)
    Carmel, Indiana 46032, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact317-571-1501
  • Wolfe Eye Clinic ( Site 0044)
    West Des Moines, Iowa 50266, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact515-223-8685
  • Cumberland Valley Retina Consultants ( Site 0003)
    Hagerstown, Maryland 21740, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact301-665-1712
  • Retina-Vitreous Surgeons of Central NY ( Site 0021)
    Liverpool, New York 13088, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact315-445-8166
  • North Carolina Retina Associates ( Site 0122)
    Greenville, North Carolina 27834, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact919-782-8091
  • Graystone Eye ( Site 0059)
    Hickory, North Carolina 28602, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact828-304-6643
  • Piedmont Retina Specialists ( Site 0049)
    Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact336-397-9216
  • Palmetto Retina Center ( Site 0073)
    Aiken, South Carolina 29801, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact803-931-0077
  • Charleston Neuroscience Institute ( Site 0090)
    Beaufort, South Carolina 29902, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact843-763-4466
  • Charleston Neuroscience Institute ( Site 0076)
    Charleston, South Carolina 29414, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact843-763-4466
  • Retina Consultants of South Carolina ( Site 0026)
    Ladson, South Carolina 29456, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact843-763-4466
  • Texas Retina ( Site 0051)
    Arlington, Texas 76012, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact817-261-9625
  • Texas Retina Associates ( Site 0055)
    Fort Worth, Texas 76104, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact817-334-0882
  • Retina Consultants of Texas - Katy/Cinco Ranch ( Site 0100)
    Katy, Texas 77494, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact713-524-3434
  • Retina Center of Texas ( Site 0096)
    Southlake, Texas 76092, United States
    Recruiting
    • Study Coordinator · Contact817-865-6800
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes — https://trialstransparency.msdclinicaltrials.com/pdf/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf

Data sharing details ↗ · externaldatasharing-msd.com

09

Timeline

7 registry updates since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Started Sep 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Nov 2028, 26 months after the start.

Of 21 phase 3 interventional studies under Diabetic Retinopathy, half reached primary completion within 28 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 25 and three quarters within 41. This study's planned 26 months is close to that.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Jul 10, 2026
First posted
Jul 15, 2026
StartActual
Sep 25, 2026
Primary completionEst.
Nov 30, 2028
CompletionEst.
Nov 30, 2029
Last update
Nov 3, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
Status
Not yet recruiting→Recruiting
changed Sep 28, 2026
Sites
20 sites added — first site in United States
Show 20 added (20 United States)
  • Charleston Neuroscience Institute ( Site 0076) · Charleston, United States
  • Center for Retina and Macular Disease ( Site 0047) · Winter Haven, United States
  • Texas Retina ( Site 0051) · Arlington, United States
  • Texas Retina Associates ( Site 0055) · Fort Worth, United States
  • Retina Consultants of Texas - Katy/Cinco Ranch ( Site 0100) · Katy, United States
  • Cumberland Valley Retina Consultants ( Site 0003) · Hagerstown, United States
  • Piedmont Retina Specialists ( Site 0049) · Winston-Salem, United States
  • Florida Retina Institute ( Site 0035) · Orlando, United States
  • Charleston Neuroscience Institute ( Site 0090) · Beaufort, United States
  • Retina Consultants of South Carolina ( Site 0026) · Ladson, United States
  • Retina Center of Texas ( Site 0096) · Southlake, United States
  • Retina Group of New England ( Site 0101) · Waterford, United States
  • Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida ( Site 0036) · St. Petersburg, United States
  • Associated Vitreoretinal and Uveitis Consultants ( Site 0099) · Carmel, United States
  • Wolfe Eye Clinic ( Site 0044) · West Des Moines, United States
  • Retina-Vitreous Surgeons of Central NY ( Site 0021) · Liverpool, United States
  • North Carolina Retina Associates ( Site 0122) · Greenville, United States
  • Graystone Eye ( Site 0059) · Hickory, United States
  • Palmetto Retina Center ( Site 0073) · Aiken, United States
  • South Coast Retina Center ( Site 0121) · Long Beach, United States
across 6 updates, Sep 28, 2026 – Nov 3, 2026
Start date
Sep 30, 2026→Sep 25, 2026 (actual)
Sep 30, 2026
Contact
Study contact's phone or email changed: T•••@merck.com→T•••@msd.com. See the current contact
across 2 updates, Sep 28, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026
Show all 7 updates
  1. Nov 3, 2026
    1 site added
    Show site
    • South Coast Retina Center ( Site 0121) · Long Beach, United States
  2. Oct 23, 2026
    8 sites added
    Show 8 added (8 United States)
    • Retina Group of New England ( Site 0101) · Waterford, United States
    • Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida ( Site 0036) · St. Petersburg, United States
    • Associated Vitreoretinal and Uveitis Consultants ( Site 0099) · Carmel, United States
    • Wolfe Eye Clinic ( Site 0044) · West Des Moines, United States
    • Retina-Vitreous Surgeons of Central NY ( Site 0021) · Liverpool, United States
    • North Carolina Retina Associates ( Site 0122) · Greenville, United States
    • Graystone Eye ( Site 0059) · Hickory, United States
    • Palmetto Retina Center ( Site 0073) · Aiken, United States
  3. Oct 20, 2026
    4 sites added
    Show 4 added (4 United States)
    • Florida Retina Institute ( Site 0035) · Orlando, United States
    • Charleston Neuroscience Institute ( Site 0090) · Beaufort, United States
    • Retina Consultants of South Carolina ( Site 0026) · Ladson, United States
    • Retina Center of Texas ( Site 0096) · Southlake, United States
  4. Oct 9, 2026
    2 sites added
    Show 2 added (2 United States)
    • Cumberland Valley Retina Consultants ( Site 0003) · Hagerstown, United States
    • Piedmont Retina Specialists ( Site 0049) · Winston-Salem, United States
    + 2 other changes: identifiers and verification date
  5. Oct 1, 2026
    4 sites added
    Show 4 added (4 United States)
    • Center for Retina and Macular Disease ( Site 0047) · Winter Haven, United States
    • Texas Retina ( Site 0051) · Arlington, United States
    • Texas Retina Associates ( Site 0055) · Fort Worth, United States
    • Retina Consultants of Texas - Katy/Cinco Ranch ( Site 0100) · Katy, United States
  6. Sep 30, 2026
    Start date Sep 30, 2026→Sep 25, 2026 (now actual)
    Contact Study contact's phone or email changed: T•••@merck.com→T•••@msd.com. See the current contact
  7. Sep 28, 2026
    Not yet recruiting→Recruiting
    1 site added — first site in United States
    Show site
    • Charleston Neuroscience Institute ( Site 0076) · Charleston, United States
    Contact Study contact now listed: added T•••@merck.com · •••8839. See the current contact
    + 1 other change: verification date

From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07705607
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jul 15, 2026
Start date
Sep 25, 2026
Primary completion
Nov 30, 2028 (estimated)
Completion
Nov 30, 2029 (estimated)
Last update
Nov 3, 2026

Study contacts

Toll Free Number
Contact
Trialsites@msd.com
1-888-577-8839
Medical Director
study director · Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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