BEGINING OF THE END FOR EYELEA?

​​The FDA have given the go-ahead for Roche’s eye implant application for the treatment of ‘wet’ age-related macular degeneration through their delivery of ranibizumab by Port Delivery System. It is a permanent refillable eye implant which will deliver continuous doses of ranibizumab to the eye, offering an alternative to monthly eye injections.

DME effects an estimated 30% of patients who have been inflicted with diabetes for more than 20 years. Alternative treatments on the market include Eylea by Bayer, Beovu by Novartis and Avastin (off-label). They all are vascular endothelial growth factor drugs for patients with DME which reduce the formation of abnormal blood vessels which will damage the retina.

It will be interesting to keep an eye on the development of this new treatment by Roche as it could become a blockbuster. Let me know in the comments you think this is the end for drugs like Eyelea?

Ref: https://www.ajmc.com/view/overview-of-diabetic-macular-edema 
​https://www.biopharma-reporter.com/Article/2021/06/28/Roche-eye-implant-gets-FDA-application-go-ahead
​ https://pharmaphorum.com/news/roche-eyes-october-decision-by-fda-for-wet-amd-implant/