Biotechs Eye Macular Degeneration

01 Jul 2009

• By Ellen Licking

Spurred by the commercial success of Lucentis, start-ups developing new therapeutics for AMD tap into a growing understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease. In this issue, we profile five emerging AMD drug developers: Acucela, Iconic Therapeutics, MacuCLEAR, Ophthotech, Optherion and Sirion Therapeutics.

It has been three years since Roche’s Genentech Inc. launched its vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor ranibizumab (Lucentis), quickly capturing the lion’s share of the market for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) from competing treatments such as QLT Inc.’s photodynamic therapy verteporfin (Visudyne) and Pfizer Inc./OSI Pharmaceuticals LLC’s anti-VEGF treatment pegaptanib (Macugen). Lucentis’s rapid adoption by ophthalmologists—in 2008 the drug racked up sales totaling $875 million in the US alone—illustrates the importance of having a clinically superior therapy.

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

Start your 7-day free trial
Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
Access comprehensive global coverage
Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

Final Chance To Have Your Say: Take Scrip's Reader Survey This Week

16 Sep 2024

• By Eleanor Malone

Editor’s note: This is your final call to participate in the survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. The deadline is 20 September.

Shape Our Content: Take The Reader Survey

04 Sep 2024

• By Eleanor Malone

Editor’s note: We are conducting a survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. If there are any changes you’d like to see in the coverage topics, content format or the method in which you receive and access Scrip, or if you love it how it is, now is the time to have your voice heard.

Galapagos Expands Point-Of-Care CAR-T Study To The US

23 Aug 2024

• By Andrew McConaghie

CEO Paul Stoffels said gaining US clearance for an IND for its novel CAR-T product was demanding, but now opens up a pathway towards a pivotal study starting in 2025.

Analysts Split On Eisai’s Chances Of Changing EU Regulator’s Mind On Leqembi

29 Jul 2024

• By Andrew McConaghie

A final rejection of Leqembi could also spell the same fate for Lilly’s rival drug but public outcry and demand for Alzheimer’s therapies might force the regulator’s hand

Can European Biotech Survive And Thrive In Era Of Instability?

30 Apr 2025

• By Andrew McConaghie

Europe's biopharma sector could suffer if the Trump administration incentivizes US investment but VC leaders believe the region can still thrive and potentially capitalize on instability elsewhere.