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Blow For Novartis Eye Drug Beovu As Studies Stop On Safety Worries

Intraocular Inflammation Cases Higher Than Rival

 
• By Kevin Grogan

The Swiss giant Novartis has decided to halt the MERLIN, RAVEN and RAPTOR studies of Beovu "in the interests of patient safety" which will make the task of competing with the wet AMD market leader Eylea even tougher.

Eye
• Source: Archive

The rollercoaster ride for Novartis AG’s eye drug Beovu has continued following further safety concerns leading to the termination of a key study in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) despite the therapy hitting its efficacy goals when compared with Bayer AG and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s market-leading rival anti-VEGF therapy Eylea.

The Swiss major reported the first year results of the two-year Phase III MERLIN study assessing Beovu (brolucizumab) 6mg versus Eylea (aflibercept) 2mg given every four weeks following the loading phase in patients with wet AMD who have persistent retinal fluid despite anti-VEGF therapy

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