Bayer has received approval for its eye drug Eylea, partnered with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, in Europe.
Eylea (aflibercept), also known as VEGF Trap-Eye, has been approved by the European Commission for the treatment of patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). Treatment is initiated with one injection per month for three consecutive doses, followed by another every two months.
The drug is already approved in the USA for wet AMD and macular oedema following central retinal vein occlusion and Kemal Malik, head of global development at Bayer HealthCare, said Eylea will also be launched “in one of our biggest markets – Japan – very soon”. A European launch will take place “very soon” where it will compete with Novartis’ well-established wet AMD drug Lucentis (ranibizumab).
Bayer plans to submit the drug for marketing authorisation in macular oedema following CRVO in Europe by the end of the year.
