Ingelheim, Germany, May 6, 2025 – Boehringer Ingelheim today announces the start of the JADE Phase II clinical study ([1]  

Geographic atrophy (GA) is an eye disease that can lead to irreversible vision loss.[2] It affects more than five million people worldwide, of which more than 40% are considered blind, ^,[3],[4]  severely impacting their independence, mental health and quality of life.[5] GA is an advanced and severe form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a chronic and progressive retinal disease.  ^{[/sup]There is a high unmet need for treatments that stop or slow disease progression and help people maintain their way of life.} 

BI 1584862, a phospholipid modulator developed by Boehringer Ingelheim, is an investigational compound with the potential to be a first-in-class oral treatment for GA, being explored to preserve patient vision. ^[6] It is Boehringer Ingelheim’s second eye health asset in GA moving to Phase II, following the advancement of the investigational compound BI 771716.[7]   

BI 771716 ([8] Consequently, rising incidences are expected in aging populations.  

People with GA experience moderate to severe central vision loss, which can impact daily life activities such as driving, shopping alone, reading, finding street signs and a wide range of social and manual activities that require fine motor control.⁵  [sup]These limitations can lead to a loss of independence and social isolation, which in turn can have an impact on mental health, leading to depression, fear and anxiety. ⁵

About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry’s top investors in Research and Development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. More than 54,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable tomorrow. Learn more at [1] ClinicalTrials.Gov. A Study to Test Different Doses of BI 1584862 in People With a Distinct Form of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Called Geographic Atrophy. Available at: [2] Rahimy E, et al. Progression of Geographic Atrophy: Retrospective Analysis of Patients from the IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight). Ophthalmol Sci. 2023 Apr 19;3(4):100318. 

[3] Wong WL, et al. Global prevalence of age-related macular degeneration and disease burden projection for 2020 and 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2014;2:e106–116.

[4] Colijn JM et al. Enlargement of Geographic Atrophy From First Diagnosis to End of Life. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2021;139(7):743-750.

[5] Sacconi R, et al. A Review of Current and Future Management of Geographic Atrophy. Ophthalmol Ther 2017;6:69-77.

[6] Boehringer Ingelheim. Phospholipid Modulator. Available at: [7] ClinicalTrials.Gov. A Study to Test Whether BI 771716 Helps People With an Advanced Form of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Called Geographic Atrophy (VERDANT). Available at: [8] Rudnicka AR, et al. Age and gender variations in age-related macular degeneration prevalence in populations of European ancestry: a meta-analysis. Ophthalmology. 2012 Mar;119(3):571-80.