Could Faricimab Data Help Roche Maintain Ophthalmic Market Foothold?

Roche Holding AG’s Genentech is looking to retain its position in the ophthalmology market as one of its leading products faces market erosion due to biosimilar competition while gene therapy competitors potentially gain ground as well. The publication of Phase III data for its bispecific antibody faricimab in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) reinforces the drug’s market potential, particularly the possibility of less-frequent dosing resulting in fewer patients lost to follow-up.

Faricimab, a bispecific antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), is under US Food and Drug Administration...