VEGFA and macular degeneration: Consequently, the clinically approved vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-binding RNA-based aptamer, Pegaptanib sodium, which is used for macular degeneration treatment (Macugen, Eyetech/Pfizer), utilizes both PEGylation and oligonucleotide modification to achieve an in vivo half-life of 10 (±4)days.