Carl D. Regillo, MD: Key Factors of Faricimab In Neovascular AMD Treatment

New data presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2021 Meeting found the efficacy of faricimab is noninferior to aflibercept in exudative control of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

In an interview with HCPLive, Carl Regillo, MD, Director of Retina Service, Wills Eye Hospital, discussed his presentation on the primary endpoints of the phase 3 TENAYA and LUCERNE trials for neovascular AMD treatment.

“The bottom line is these studies show definitively that faricimab works as well as aflibercept in exudative control of neovascular AMD and achieving the vision gains that are well maintained over time after the initial loading phase, but with less frequent treatment,” Regillo said.

He noted that while current treatments are effective in treating wet AMD, the durability of faricimab is a key factor in treatment options going forward. Additionally, he made mention of faricimab not just as an anti-VEGF drug, but as a blocker of both VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2.

Additionally, Regillo spoke on the inability to treat patients as often as needed to maintain vision gains, leading to an average loss in vision gains in the real world. As a result, he pointed out two advantages of faricimab, including the benefit of fewer injections with the same results and the promise of better long term vision outcomes in the real world.

“Having something that's more durable or longer acting is simply more forgiving, if you will,” Regillo said. “Patients don't necessarily have to come in so frequently and so precisely.”

Lastly, Regillo looked forward to the outcome of the complete study results next year, as well as the extension program giving the data a few more years.

“In total, we're going to have four years of data on faricimab for the treatment of neovascular AMD looking at all the efficacy, safety and durability profile over the long haul,” he said.

“Faricimab In Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration: 1-year Efficacy, Safety, and Durability In the Phase 3 TENAYA and LUCERNE Trials,” was presented at AAO 2021.