A Multicenter, Proof-Of-Concept Study Of Intravitreal AL-78898A In Patients With Geographic Atrophy (GA) Associated With Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients of age 55 or older at Screening.
2. Ability to provide informed consent and comply with the protocol.

3. Diagnosis of geographic atrophy (GA) of the macula caused by age-related macular degeneration, confirmed within 14 days prior to randomization by the central reading center using fundus autofluorescence images, as well as the following criteria:

   • Total GA area in study eye must be of size 1.25-20 mm2 (0.5 - 8 DA), determined by screening images of fundus autofluorescence photographs.
   • GA in the study eye can be completely visualized on the macula centered image (Field 2 - Macula Image).
   • GA must be able to be photographed in its entirety and not contiguous with any areas of peripapillary atrophy. Images must include the modified 3- field images as defined by the University of Wisconsin standards.
4. BCVA of 20 letters (20/400 Snellen equivalent) or better in the study eye at screening.
5. BCVA of 20 letters (20/400 Snellen equivalent) or better in the non study eye at screening without conditions other than AMD that, in the opinion of the investigator, could cause a rapid loss of vision.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any history or current evidence of exudative ("wet") AMD in study eye including any evidence of retinal pigment epithelium rips or evidence of neovascularization anywhere in the retina based on fluorescein angiogram per Investigator judgment.
2. Retinal disease other than AMD in the study eye; however, benign conditions of the vitreous or peripheral retina are not exclusionary (ie, pavingstone degeneration).
3. Any ophthalmologic condition in study eye that reduces the clarity of the media and that, in the opinion of the Investigator interferes with ophthalmologic examination (eg, advanced cataract or corneal abnormalities).
4. Any ophthalmologic condition in study eye that prevents adequate imaging of the retina judged by the site or reading center.
5. A history or current medical diagnosis of glaucoma or ocular hypertension in study eye
6. Any ophthalmic condition in study eye that may require surgery during the study period.
7. Any contraindication to intravitreal injection including current ocular or periocular infection in the study eye.
8. History of any disease or current use of medication expected to cause systemic or ocular immunosuppression (including RESTASIS® use in the study eye).
9. History of uveitis or endophthalmitis in the study eye.
10. History of intraocular surgery (including cataract surgery) in the study eye within 90 days prior to dosing.
11. History of IVT or periocular injection in the study eye at anytime.
12. Participation in another interventional clinical study, or use of any experimental treatment for AMD or any other investigational new drug within 6 weeks or 5 half-lives of the active (whichever is longer) prior to the start of study treatment.
13. History of any medical or psychiatric condition, or substance abuse, that in the Investigator's opinion is likely to interfere with the patient's participation in the study, or likely to cause serious adverse events during the study.
14. Women of child bearing potential UNLESS they are using a highly effective method of birth control, postmenopausal, or have had well-documented surgical sterilization procedures (see the Manual of Procedures).
15. Known or suspected allergy or hypersensitivity to fluorescein or other injectables.