The Food and Drug Administration has granted approval for two drugs to treat geographic atrophy (GA), an age-related macular degeneration complication. These two treatments include Avacincaptad Pegol and Faricimab-svoa.

Genentech’s Vabysmo (faricimab-svoa) inhibits two disease pathways that contribute to retinal conditions that threaten vision. By inhibiting these two disease pathways, Vabysmo can help reduce retinal fluid and enhance vision with fewer injections or treatment sessions than traditional therapies.

SYFOVRE

SYFOVRE, approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat geographic atrophy (GA), in people suffering from wet age-related macular degeneration. GA occurs when blood vessels grow between layers of retina in the back of eye, leading to fluid build-up, vision loss and fluid accumulation. SYFOVRE works by blocking C3 protein that contributes to retinal cell damage that leads to macular degeneration; soon, this new prescription medicine should become available throughout United States.

SYFOVRE has demonstrated impressive promise in slowing the progression of GA, an aggressive form of AMD which leads to central vision loss. In two phase 3 clinical studies conducted by OAKS and DERBY researchers, SYFOVRE reduced lesion growth compared to sham injections by over 90%; its maximum benefit occurred 24 months after start-up and it became the first treatment that demonstrated wet AMD progression reduction clinically.

Notably, pegcetacoplan injection has been linked to severe vision loss for some individuals. These events can be explained by silicone oil droplets appearing in the vitreous cavity after receiving intravitreal medication injection – this side effect must be immediately addressed as it could impact all patients. Furthermore, silicone oil could potentially lead to retinal vascular occlusion if left unchecked and cause more permanent effects of blindness than originally anticipated.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals announced in 2023 that EYLEA had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat retinal angiogenesis-related conditions, such as wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, ocular vein occlusion and retinopathy of prematurity. This approval marked a key step forward for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals as it seeks treatments to restore vision loss caused by these diseases.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals Inc. was recently informed of sight-threatening adverse reactions reported to the American Society of Retina Specialists’ Research and Safety in Therapeutics Committee following administration of its Syfovre (pegcetacoplan injection) treatment to address geographic atrophy. Reports reveal six instances of retinal vasculitis after intravitreal injection with patients experiencing both mild-to-moderate intraocular inflammation as well as severe retinal vasculitis symptoms.

Avacincaptad pegol

Recently, the FDA granted FDA approval to Izervay (avacincaptad pegol) for treating geographic atrophy (GA) associated with dry age-related macular degeneration. The intravitreal injection can be given monthly up to 12 months and its efficacy demonstrated through two randomized pivotal trials: Gather1 and GATHER2. Both showed reduced rates of GA progression when compared to placebo; however it did not significantly improve best corrected visual acuity or mean microperimetry threshold sensitivities.

Geographic atrophy is the most prevalent form of dry age-related macular degeneration, and affects over 5 million people worldwide, accounting for 10%-20% of legal blindness cases. Individuals who have a family history of macular degeneration as well as light-colored eyes are at greater risk, which can be diagnosed using visual acuity tests or techniques like optical coherence tomography or fluorescein angiography.

Avacincaptad pegol is a complement C5 inhibitor that works by binding to and inhibiting complement protein C5. This prevents its cleavage, decreasing formation of membrane attack complex (MAC) formation and helping to decrease retinal pigment epithelial cell damage while delaying progression of macular degeneration.

Charles Wykoff, retina specialist and author, recently discussed two clinical studies – GATHER2 and GALE trials – designed to present one year data of pegcetacoplan, approved by the FDA in February 2023 to treat GA in patients with dry AMD. Furthermore, Wykoff discussed GALE trial, an open long-term extension study for participants who wanted to continue taking it after participating in either of DERBY or OAKS trials.

Although avacincaptad pegol is generally safe, it may cause side effects including eye pain or redness, increased intraocular pressure and infection. Patients should report any such signs immediately so they can be managed appropriately. Furthermore, to minimize interactions with other drugs patients should keep track of all medications they take and consult RxList’s Drug Interaction Checker prior to beginning therapy with this drug.

Faricimab-svoa

Faricimab-svoa is a monoclonal antibody designed to target both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2) receptors, administered via injection into the eye. It can be used to treat both neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME), by stabilizing blood vessels in the retina; furthermore it’s highly effective at treating macular edema caused by retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Faricimab-svoa was approved for use in Ophthalmology; potentially revolutionizing wet AMD treatment altogether!

Vabysmo was recently approved by the FDA as an intravitreal injection to treat macular edema. Ophthalmologists administer this intravitreal injection, making it one of a series of innovative medications designed to transform macular degeneration treatment. Unfortunately, this new prescription medicine may not be appropriate for everyone; those suffering from active eye inflammation, retinal detachments or systemic infections should refrain from receiving this injection as it could interact with certain medications or cause allergic reactions – always inform your physician beforehand!

Vabysmo was developed by Genentech, part of Roche Group. This recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody targets both VEGF-A and Ang-2 and was the first anti-VEGF therapy shown to provide sustained vision improvement over one year in clinical trials using personalized dosing regimens – it achieved this in BALATON and COMINO trials using double blind random dosing regimens, respectively. These trials proved that Vabysmo produced early and sustained vision improvements which were non inferior aflibercept for treating macular edema from RVO.

Contrary to existing treatments, this new medication can address both wet macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema simultaneously. As the first drug ever designed to both prevent choroidal neovascularization and reduce macular edema in wet AMD patients, this breakthrough represents an enormous leap forward in ophthalmology – potentially improving quality of life for millions of Americans. Individuals experiencing sudden loss of central vision, light sensitivity or increased eye pain should seek medical advice immediately if symptoms such as sudden loss of central vision, light sensitivity or increased eye pain/redness occur immediately – they should seek medical assistance immediately if this medication does not improve symptoms such as sudden loss of central vision suddenly or increased pain/redness occur quickly or any sudden change occurs immediately in their eyesight if symptoms such as sudden loss of central vision due to it acting upon them being introduced simultaneously by other means than these new therapies alone.

Susvimo

Susvimo is an implant that continuously releases ranibizumab for six months, used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. By decreasing the number of injections patients need to receive and decreases stress for them as well as doctor visits needed, Susvimo makes wet AMD treatment more manageable for patients while decreasing stress for providers and visits required by doctors. Multiple anti-VEGF agents such as Regeneron’s Eylea (aflibercept), Novartis Beovu (brolucizumab), Genentech’s Lucentis (ranibizumab), Roche Vabysmo (faricimab-svoa) can all inhibit new blood vessel formation within eyes over time allowing doctors more predictable diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for treating wet AMD.

Susvimo was approved by the FDA due to positive results of the Archway study primary analysis, which demonstrated wet AMD patients treated with Susvimo attained and maintained visual gains comparable to monthly ranibizumab injections. Over 98% of patients in this trial could go six months between fillings; overall it had an favorable benefit-risk profile and generally well tolerated effects; however it has been associated with threefold more eye infections due to conjunctival retractions or erosions that require appropriate conjunctival management to remedy.

Susvimo differs from traditional anti-VEGF treatments in that it’s administered through a small port placed beneath the skin on the surface of the eye, attached to an implant that slowly releases medication for up to six months. Installing and refilling it only require one visit each year – providing significant reduction in office visits as well as convenience, especially among elderly patients who may find traveling difficult.

The FDA has warned that the device is unsuitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as children; additionally, its manufacturer has not conducted safety tests with them. Patients are strongly encouraged to speak to a healthcare provider before beginning use of this device – including all prescribed and over-the-counter drugs as well as vitamins or herbal supplements they are taking – prior to making a decision to use the device.