INSTITUTIONAL BIOSAFETY COMMITTEE REVIEW
MEETING MINUTES
Meeting Date: Monday, April 6, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm Eastern Time
Location: Zoom Teleconference
Institution: Retina Partners Midwest, P.C., Carmel, IN
Principal Investigator: Neil P. Finnen, MD
Protocol: Adverum Biotechnologies, ADVM-022-13
NCT Number: NCT07482176
Meeting Type: Initial Review of Protocol and Site
Title: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Masked, Active-Comparator-Controlled, Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of ixoberogene soroparvovec (Ixo-vec) in Participants with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AQUARIUS)
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Call to order:
The Meeting was called to order at 1:00 pm Eastern Time.
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Introductions and orientation:
Introductions were made and the Chair oriented members to the meeting procedures.
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Declaration of quorum:
Five voting members were present, including two local members unaffiliated with the institution. Also present were two Institutional Representatives and IBC Services staff. The Chair declared that a quorum was present.
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Conflict of Interest:
The Chair requested that voting members report any conflict of interest regarding this meeting. No conflicts of interest were reported.
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Public posting:
An Institutional Representative confirmed that notice of the meeting was publicly posted. No public comments were received by the site or the Committee regarding this review.
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Review of proposed research:
The Chair provided an overview of the protocol.
The Chair provided an overview of the biosafety risk assessment for the protocol. -
Determination for biosafety level and period of IBC oversight:
The Committee determined that BSL-1 containment facilities and practices plus Standard Precautions are required for ADVM-022, since it consists of an AAV vector administered by injection in a clinical setting.
The Committee determined that IBC oversight will continue for 3 months after the last subject's last dose of ADVM-022 locally, provided that other biosafety criteria for study closure are also met.
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Vote on the Protocol:
The Committee voted for the following determination on the Protocol:
X APPROVED
CONDITIONALLY APPROVED TABLED
DISAPPROVED
DETERMINATION VOTE - YES: 4 NO: 0 ABSTAIN: 0 -
Review of Principal Investigator qualifications:
The Committee reviewed and accepted the qualifications of the Principal Investigator.
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Review of proposed facilities and practices:
The Chair provided an overview of the arrangement for the facilities and practices.
Points of Discussion:
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The Committee recommended that the sharps container in the dosing room be labeled with a biohazard symbol.
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The Committee recommended that handwashing sinks be kept clear of extraneous items to minimize the potential for these items to become contaminated, and that items not be stored underneath or in front of handwashing sinks.
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The Committee recommended that the emergency eyewash sign be posted on the wall above the plumbed eyewash station.
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The Committee noted that the biohazardous waste container in the biohazardous waste storage area was not covered but an Institutional Representative could not confirm whether the lid is provided by the licensed biohazardous waste vendor at the time of pick-up. The Committee recommended that the biohazardous waste container be covered when not in use.
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The Committee recommended that larger (16 or 32ounce) prefilled disposable eyewash bottles, designed to specifically flush eyes in the event of an eye exposure, be purchased and made available in the preparation and dosing rooms.
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An Institutional Representative confirmed that prefilled disposable eyewash bottles are checked monthly to ensure they are not expired.
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Site requirements:
The Chair reviewed training and communication requirements for maintaining IBC approval with the Institutional Representatives.
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Vote on the Site:
The Committee voted for the following determination on the Site:
X APPROVED
CONDITIONALLY APPROVED TABLED
DISAPPROVED
DETERMINATION VOTE - YES: 5 NO: 0 ABSTAIN: 0
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Advice to the Institution: None.
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Meeting adjourned: The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 pm Eastern Time.
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Post-meeting notes: None.
Documents reviewed:
Agenda
Protocol, Version 0.0, dated 09-19-2025
Investigator's Brochure, Edition 9.0, dated 02-25-2026
Investigational Medicinal Product Manual, Version 1.0, dated 02-19-2026
Biological Risk Assessment and Summary, updated 02-27-2026
Site Map, dated 03-31-2026
Site Inspection Checklist, expires 11-22-2026, updated 03-31-2026
Photos, dated 04-01-2026
Biohazard Sign, ADVM-022, dated 03-31-2026
SOP, Biosafety for ADVM-022, dated 03-31-2026
Training, Shipping Certifications, expire 04-21-2027, 05-05-2027
CV, Finnen, N., signed 05-15-2025
