Eylea bests Lucentis in DME, but Avastin wins on cost

An investigator-sponsored clinical trial found that three vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors work similarly well in about 75% of diabetic macular edema (DME), while Eylea (aflibercept) from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals outperformed Genentech's Lucentis (ranibizumab) and Avastin (bevacizumab) in the 25% of DME patients with more severe vision loss, but a separate physician opinion recommends off-label Avastin for most patients due to its much lower cost.

Results from the Protocol T study conducted by the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR.net) with funding from the National...