Biosimilars for Retinal Diseases: An Update

Am J Ophthalmol. 2021 Apr:224:36-42. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2020.11.017. Epub 2020 Dec 9.

Abstract

Purpose: To review the biosimilars of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents for retinal diseases and provide an update about their development.

Design: Literature review.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was performed for scientific articles, clinical trials, and press releases for the development of biosimilars in ophthalmology.

Results: To date, Razumab (Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Ahmedabad, GJ, India) is the only approved biosimilar for ophthalmic use, but the landscape will rapidly change in the future with multiple biosimilar candidates, which are currently in phase 3 trials, showing promising early results.

Conclusion: Biosimilars hold the potential to reduce the financial burden of the highly efficacious biologic therapy in retinal pathologies. However, the off-label bevacizumab may differentiate the success of biosimilars in different geographic regions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / chemistry
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / pharmacology
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Approval
  • Drug Development
  • Humans
  • Ranibizumab / chemistry
  • Ranibizumab / pharmacology
  • Ranibizumab / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / chemistry
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / therapeutic use
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / pharmacology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Retinal Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • aflibercept
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
  • Ranibizumab