BioAge opens QUELL-DME, a Phase 2 trial of oral BGE-102 in diabetic macular edema

BioAge Labs/BGE-102 (NLRP3)

BioAge started QUELL-DME on 21 August 2026, a randomised, masked Phase 2 trial testing its once-daily oral pill BGE-102 in centre-involved diabetic macular edema, where fluid builds up in the central retina and blurs vision. The trial tests the pill alone and added to standard anti-VEGF eye injections, and plans to enrol about 180 people.

• Three arms: BGE-102 plus sham injections; BGE-102 plus anti-VEGF injections every 4 weeks; placebo pill plus anti-VEGF injections.
• Treatment lasts 12 weeks. The main measure is change in visual acuity on the standard ETDRS eye chart at week 12; safety is tracked to week 16.
• Primary results are expected around November 2027, with the study completing in December 2027. The first listed site is in McAllen, Texas.
• A pill that works, or lets patients need fewer eye injections, would ease today's routine of repeated injections into the eye.