Charles Wykoff, M.D., Ph.D., director of clinical research at Retina Consultants of Texas, noted new treatments for geographic atrophy are predicted to be a hot topic at the American Society of Retina Specialists annual scientific meeting that starts today in Seattle.
New treatments for geographic atrophy are predicted to be a hot topic at the American Society of Retina Specialists annual scientific meeting that starts today in Seattle.
Perhaps the most important development in retinal diseases this year is the FDA’s approval of Syfovre (pegcetacoplan) in the February for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). But the drug has stirred up debate, notes Charles Wykoff, M.D., Ph.D., because the main clinical trial results “did not have a strong signal for visual benefit.”
Wykoff, director of clinical research at Retina Consultants of Texas, deputy chair of the Blanton Eye Institute at Houston Methodist Hospital, and chair of the practice management committee of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), listed a presentation on the extension trial of pivotal phase 3 trial of Syfovre as one of the expected highlights of the 41st annual scientific meeting of ASRS in Seattle, which starts today and runs through Tuesday, Aug. 1.
The other three highlights mentioned Wykoff were presentations from the ARCHER trial of another GA drug, Annexon Biosciences’ ANX007, which Wykoff describes as working “upstream” from Syfovre on the classical complement pathway; data on surgically delivered encapsulated cell technology uses genetically modified retinal pigment epithelium cells to deliver ciliary neurotrophic factor to treat macular telangiectasia; and data he is presenting on the GLEAM and GLIMMER studies comparing tarcocimab tedromer (KSI-301) to Eylea (aflibercept ) for patients with diabetic macular edema.
It Flopped on Primary Endpoint, But Succeeded on Visual Acuity | ASRS 2023
July 31st 2023AXNOO7, an investigational agent for geographic atrophy, did not affect geographic atrophy lesions but showed positive effects of tests of visual acuity. A novel, neuroprotective mechanism of action may be why.
Read More
When a Biosimilar Might Increase Not Decrease Costs | Ravi Parikh, M.D., M.P.H., ASRS 2023
July 30th 2023The approval of an ophthalmic bevacizumab biosimilar might mean the end of low-cost, repackaged Avastin as an anti-VEGF treatment for retinal diseases, with the unintended consequence of adding $457 million to Medicare B spending.
Read More
Endophthalmitis After Anti-VEGF Injections: A Rare But Real Risk | ASRS 2023
July 30th 2023Researchers used the American Academy of Ophthalmology's IRIS database to quantify the risk of endophthalmitis — inflammation of intraocular fluids — after injections with anti-VEGF drugs. They found that post-injection endophthalmitis occurs, on average, once every 3,500 injections.
Read More
Eylea Biosimilar Produces Favorable Results in a Switching Study | ASRS 2023
July 30th 2023Samsung Bioepsis' SB15 was comparable to Eylea (aflibercept) in a 56-week randomized clinical trial that included a rerandomization at 32 weeks. The rerandomization resulted in 111 study volunteers switching from Eylea to the biosimilar for the last part of the study.
Read More
The Long and Short (Interval Switch) of the PULSAR Trial | ASRS 2023
July 29th 2023About 20% of patients in the trial of a high-dose, longer-interval regimen of Eylea (aflibercept )switched to shorter intervals, according to data presented today at the American Society of Retinal Specialists annual scientific meeting, which is being held in Seattle. Researchers didn't find any clues as to why in their baseline characteristics.
Read More