VEGFA and age-related macular degeneration: They are inexpensive to produce, relative to protein therapeutics and, importantly, are non-immunogenic and lack toxicity.24, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 In 2004, Macugen (pegaptanib) became the first aptamer (targeting vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) to gain US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.35