Faricimab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Clobetasol propionate ophthalmic nanoemulsion is in development for the treatment of post-operative pain or inflammation following cataract surgery. A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens, which can develop slowly and progress to general loss of transparency, which may lead to functional impairment and visual deterioration. Cataract surgery is the only effective treatment to improve or maintain vision, however, inflammation and pain are common difficulties following this treatment.

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.

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.

Faricimab is in clinical development for adults with diabetic macular oedema (DMO). DMO is a type of eye disease where blood vessels leak fluid into the retina. Vision loss occurs when the fluid reaches the macula (the centre of the retina that provides sharp vision) and builds up, causing swelling. Over time, DMO can cause central vision to become blurred, eventually these changes become permanent. Current treatments use steroid implants, or an injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), in the eye to stop the condition from worsening.