Clobetasol propionate for postoperative pain and inflammation associated with cataract surgery

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), also known as wet age‐related macular degeneration (wet AMD), is a chronic eye disease characterised by the formation and proliferation of blood vessels underneath the retina (a layer of tissue in the back of the eye that senses light and sends images to the brain). nAMD is a leading cause of central sight loss and blindness.

Ranibizumab is a type of antibody that is targeted against a particular protein. Ranibizumab has been designed to attach to and block a substance called vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). VEGF-A is a protein that makes blood vessels grow and leak fluid and blood, damaging the macula (the central part of the retina). By blocking VEGF-A, ranibizumab reduces the growth of the blood vessels and controls the leakage and swelling. The port delivery system (PDS) will include a device which is permanently surgically implanted in the eye and filled with a special formulation of ranibizumab; this will reduce the amount of hospital visits required and reduce the burden of repeat intravitreal injections. If licensed, this technology will provide an additional treatment option for patients with nAMD.

Faricimab is an antibody given by intravitreal injection that binds to both VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2 which results in blood vessels becoming more stable, leaking less blood and fluid and reduced inflammation. Faricimab has been shown in clinical trials to have an extended durability compared to other anti-VEGF agents so fewer injections will be required. If licensed, faricimab will offer an additional treatment option for patients with neovascular AMD.

Brolucizumab is in clinical development for the treatment of visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DMO). DMO is a condition affecting the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye. The central part of the retina known as the macula, is responsible for fine detail vision, both for near (reading) and for distance. In patients with DMO, the fine meshwork of blood vessels supplying nutrients and oxygen to the macula become damaged and leaky due to the high levels of glucose in the bloodstream in some patients with diabetes. If left untreated, the leakage will potentially permanently damage the retinal nerve cells and eventually produce scarring, which can be irreversible.