The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Genentech’s pioneering drug, Susvimo (ranibizumab injection), for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. This approval is a result of positive outcomes from the Phase III Pavilion study, which demonstrated the significant efficacy of the drug in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
Susvimo is a customized formulation of ranibizumab, delivered continuously via the Port Delivery Platform, an innovative refillable eye implant surgically inserted into the eye during a one-time, outpatient procedure. This continuous delivery system is specifically intended for patients who have previously responded to anti-VEGF injections. Unlike other currently approved treatments that may necessitate eye injections as frequently as once per month, Susvimo requires only one treatment every nine months, offering patients a more convenient and sustainable treatment approach.
The continuous delivery of the drug directly into the eye addresses specific retinal conditions that can cause vision loss, providing significant improvements on the Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS). This implies a substantial reduction in the severity of eye damage caused by diabetes when compared to those receiving standard care. Notably, at the one-year mark of the study, none of the Susvimo recipients needed additional treatment, with safety in line with previous findings.
Dr. Levi Garraway, Genentech’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development, has hailed the FDA’s approval of Susvimo as a landmark development. He commented, “The approval of Susvimo for diabetic retinopathy expands treatment options for patients, offering predictable and immediate durability after implantation with only one treatment every nine months. Many patients with common retinal conditions seek alternative treatment options like Susvimo that can help preserve vision with longer intervals between treatments than regular eye injections.”
Echoing Dr. Garraway’s sentiments, vitreoretinal surgeon Dr. Carl Awh, of Tennessee Retina, Tennessee, referred to Susvimo as a “compelling new treatment” for patients at risk of vision loss due to the progression of diabetic retinopathy. He expressed his delight at having this durable treatment option available for his patients.
All in all, the FDA’s approval of Susvimo is a significant stride forward in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. The drug’s unique delivery system and reduced frequency of treatment bring a new level of convenience and efficacy to patients, potentially altering the landscape of diabetic retinopathy treatment. As Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli, Chief Editor of Medical News at Medical Dialogues, confirms, these developments in medical biotechnology are changing lives and offer hope for better patient outcomes. The continued research, development, and approval of such innovative treatments are indeed a testament to the relentless pursuit of improved patient care in the medical and biotechnological fields.
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