Faricimab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration


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Therapeutic Areas: Ophthalmology
Year: 2020

Faricimab is in clinical development for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). AMD is an eye condition that blurs the centre of a person’s vision and is the most common cause of sight loss in the developed world. There are two types of AMD – wet and dry. Wet AMD develops when a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) causes abnormal blood vessels to grow in the back of the eye which leak blood or fluid that results in a rapid loss of central vision. Current treatment for wet AMD involves monthly injections of anti-VEGF agents to maintain vision. There is a need for treatments that have greater durability in order to reduce the treatment burden on patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals and healthcare systems.
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.