FDA approves new treatment for wet AMD

The Food and Drug Administration announced yesterday the approval of Vabysmo to treat both neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) as well as diabetic macular edema (DME). The new drug has the ability to target two pathways involved in retinal disease. 

Vabysmo is administered via intravitreal injection every 1 to 4 months. Other intravitreal therapies are administered every 1 to 2 months. Several dosing options are available for patients. Patients with nAMD would begin with 4 monthly injections followed by an assessment and then continued treatment with 2 to 4 month intervals. DME patients would have the option of beginning with 4 monthly injections and then after assessment, would continue with 1 to 4 month intervals or starting with six initial doses followed by treatment every two months. 

Clinical trials are also underway to determine the safety and efficacy of Vabysmo in patients with macular edema following retinal vein occlusion. Expect to see Vaybsmo available in the United States within the coming weeks.