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

Stock Down By 38%

 
• 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.

  • Analysts believe the events could be linked with infection related to drug transfer practices.

  • No such events were observed in Syfovre’s pivotal studies, and it has no black box warning.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Syfovre (pegcetacoplan) became the first and only US Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in February

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