Retaane is developed by Alcon, Incorporation for preserving the vision of patients with all forms of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Anecortave acetate, the active ingredient in Retaane 15 mg is an angiostatic cortisene that inhibits the abnormal growth of blood vessels - a process scientifically known as angiogenesis. Angiostatic cortisenes were derived from the steroid class and engineered to remove chemical groups responsible for unnecessary glucocorticoid effects, such as the development of cataracts and elevated intraocular pressure leading to glaucoma, while preserving potency.

Some investigational therapies attempt to block only one growth factor such as vascular endothelial growth factor, thus still allowing other growth factors, such as basic fibroblast growth factor, to signal the endothelial cells and commence the angiogenesis process. Angiostatic cortisenes are able to block signals from multiple growth factors because they act downstream and independent of the initiating angiogenic stimuli thus inhibiting angiogenesis consequent to the angiogenic stimulation.

Retaane is the only therapy for AMD that uses the unique delivery system of posterior juxtascleral depot. During the procedure, Retaane 15 mg is drawn into a blunt-tipped curved cannula and delivered in direct contact with the outer surface of the sclera without puncturing the eyeball. This method of delivery for Retaane avoids the risk of intraocular infection and retinal detachment, the most common side effects associated with frequently injecting therapeutic agents directly into the eye. Retaane depot requires less frequent administration compared to some other investigational angiogenesis inhibitors, which are injected into the eye as often as nine to 12 times a year. According to an independent safety panel, no clinically proven side effects were associated with Retaane or the PJD procedure.