Panic Not, Say Analysts As Apellis’s Syfovre Launch Is Beset By Retinal Vasculitis Events

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18 Jul 2023

• By Ayisha Sharma

The US firm’s Syfovre for geographic atrophy due to age-related macular degeneration was linked with a handful of cases of occlusive retinal vasculitis, according to a letter published by a top retinal society, but most analysts believe there is a reasonable explanation.

3d graphic of cross-section of eye in doctor's hand — 42% Of Eyes With Geographic Atrophy Are Classed As Legally Blind • Source: Shutterstock

Key Takeaways:

Six cases of occlusive retinal vasculitis occurred across a total of 6,000 injections.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Syfovre is taking the heat following the publication of a letter recommending doctors exercise caution after a few instances of a previously unseen safety event emerged in the real world setting, although several analysts remained unfazed and projected a continued successful launch.

Syfovre (pegcetacoplan) became the first and only US Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary...