Health Canada has authorized Vabysmo (faricimab injection) for use in a 6.0 mg single-use pre-filled syringe (PFS) to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). This approval marks a significant advancement in treating these leading causes of vision loss, which affect approximately 70 million people worldwide.
The Vabysmo PFS is the first and only syringe prefilled with a Health Canada-approved bispecific antibody for retinal conditions that can cause blindness. This ready-to-use format simplifies administration for retina specialists, potentially improving clinic efficiency and patient care.
Clinical Benefits and Mechanism of Action
Vabysmo is a humanized bispecific immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody that inhibits both Ang-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). By inhibiting VEGF-A, faricimab suppresses endothelial cell proliferation, neovascularization, and vascular permeability. Simultaneously, Ang-2 inhibition is thought to increase vascular stability and desensitize blood vessels to the effects of VEGF-A. Ang-2 levels are elevated in some patients with wet AMD, DME, and RVO.
Clinical data have demonstrated that Vabysmo provides rapid and robust vision improvements and retinal drying in patients with wet AMD, DME, and RVO. Retinal drying, an important clinical measure, reduces swelling from excess fluid in the back of the eye, which is associated with distorted and blurred vision. Vabysmo's efficacy may lead to fewer injections into the eye, potentially reducing the treatment burden for patients and their families.
Expert Commentary
"The new Vabysmo PFS is a game changer for simplifying the delivery of dual action anti-VEGF," said Dr. David T. Wong, Ophthalmologist-in-Chief and Associate Professor, Unity Health at St. Michael’s Hospital. "It reduces the risk of infection and increases our efficiency to help maximize our clinic capacity, which helps us to better serve patients."
Availability and Impact
Supply for Vabysmo PFS will be available to Canadian ophthalmologists and their patients in the coming months. Roche Canada is working with provincial and territorial jurisdictions to ensure Vabysmo PFS is accessible through public and private drug plans as soon as possible. Since its initial US approval in 2022, more than six million doses of Vabysmo have been distributed globally.
Brigitte Nolet, President and CEO of Roche Canada Pharma, stated, "This milestone represents a significant step forward in our commitment to improving treatment options for individuals affected by serious retinal conditions. With this new PFS option, it should make it even simpler to administer, helping to enhance the treatment experience for both physicians and patients."
