Emixustat strongly inhibits 11-cis-retinol production with an IC50 value of 232±3 nM.Emixustat potently inhibits isomerase activity in vitro (IC50=4.4 nM). Treatment of emixustat shows a concentration dependent reduction of 11-cis-ROL production .

Pre-treatment with a single dose of emixustat (0.3 mg/kg) provids a 50%protective effect against light-induced photoreceptor cell loss, while higher doses (1-3 mg/kg) are nearly 100%effective.?In Abca4-/- mice, chronic (3 month) emixustat treatment markedly reduces lipofuscin autofluorescence and reduces A2E levels by 60%( ED50=0.47 mg/kg).?In the retinopathy of prematurity rodent model, treatment with emixustat during the period of ischemia and reperfusion injury produces a 30%reduction in retinal neovascularization (ED50=0.46mg/kg).Emixustat reduces the production of visual chromophore (11-cis retinal) in wild-type mice following a single oral dose (ED50=0.18mg/kg). In albino mice, emixustat is shown to be effective in preventing photoreceptor cell death caused by intense light exposure.