Roche data highlights strength of ophthalmology portfolio and commitment to advancing eye care at ARVO 2023
Roche (OTCQX: RHHBY) announced new data for Vabysmo at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, showcasing promising results in treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Key findings indicate that Vabysmo promotes rapid fluid drying compared to aflibercept, enhancing visual acuity while allowing extended treatment intervals early in therapy. Real-world studies suggest most patients can extend dosing intervals while maintaining vision. Additionally, Roche will present initial phase I data on an investigational anti-IL-6 treatment, which may improve outcomes for patients with uveitic macular edema (UME). The company remains dedicated to advancing therapies for vision-threatening retinal conditions.
- Vabysmo demonstrates superior fluid drying in nAMD and DME compared to aflibercept.
- Real-world studies indicate patients can extend treatment intervals without losing vision.
- Initial data on investigational IL-6 treatment suggests potential benefits for UME patients.
- None.
- Vabysmo data suggest rapid and robust drying of retinal fluid in patients with neovascular or ‘wet’ age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema
- Real-world studies of Vabysmo demonstrate ability to extend treatment intervals in the first four months while maintaining visual acuity
- Clinical data on an investigational anti-interleukin-6 treatment in uveitic macular edema will be presented for the first time
Basel, 13 April 2023 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that new data for its approved and investigational medicines will be highlighted in 30 abstracts at the 2023 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, which will be held from 23-27 April 2023 in New Orleans, United States. The abstracts showcase the strength and breadth of Roche’s Ophthalmology portfolio, including post-hoc data from phase III Vabysmo® (faricimab) studies that support its benefit in drying retinal fluid in neovascular or ‘wet’ age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME).1-3 Real-world data on Vabysmo treatment patterns and outcomes will be presented, as well as approaches to personalised healthcare that include the use of artificial intelligence (AI) modelling to predict retinal disease progression.4-7 Additionally, phase I data for an investigational anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) treatment in uveitic macular edema (UME), to be presented for the first time, suggest the monoclonal antibody may improve visual acuity in patients with UME.8
“The breadth of data we are presenting at ARVO demonstrates our sustained commitment to preserving vision for people with potentially blinding retinal conditions,” said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. “We are particularly encouraged by data indicating that Vabysmo may stabilise blood vessels and reduce fluid in the retina. Fluid control is essential for optimal central vision used for everyday activities such as reading and driving.”
The following data will be presented at ARVO 2023:
Vabysmo improves drying for people with nAMD and DME1-3
A post-hoc analysis from the head-to-head dosing period of the phase III TENAYA and LUCERNE studies suggests Vabysmo results in greater drying of retinal fluid compared to aflibercept in people with nAMD. The data include change in central subfield thickness (CST), absence of subretinal and intraretinal fluid (SRF and IRF) and time to absence of SRF and IRF.
A post-hoc analysis from the head-to-head dosing period of the phase III YOSEMITE and RHINE studies also supports the positive impact of Vabysmo on macular blood vessel leakage compared to aflibercept in people with DME. Outcomes include macular leakage area and the proportion of patients with minimal to no macular leakage - two important markers of vascular stability. Another analysis from YOSEMITE and RHINE suggests Vabysmo reduces retinal fluid when compared to aflibercept in people with DME. The data include time to absence of DME (CST <325 µm) and time to absence of IRF.
Vabysmo extends dosing intervals early in the real world4,5
Two Vabysmo real-world studies in nAMD and DME show patients extended their dosing intervals early in their treatment while maintaining or improving their vision. The majority of patients were able to extend their treatment intervals during the four initial doses. Treatment intervals were categorised as ‘extended’ if any interval was more than six weeks apart.
Investigational IL-6 monoclonal antibody may benefit people with UME8
Phase I data on an IL-6 inhibitor that is in development for UME and other retinal conditions suggest that this investigational monoclonal antibody improves visual acuity and CST in patients with UME.
The IL-6 pathway plays an important role in the development and progression of UME by promoting blood vessel leakage and inflammation.9 UME is a complication of uveitis, a form of eye inflammation.10 This results in accumulation of fluid in the macula and can lead to significant visual impairment and vision loss.10 The estimated prevalence of uveitis is between 6 to 12 people per 10,000 globally, and approximately one-third of these people are impacted by UME.11
Roche recently launched two phase III trials in UME based on encouraging phase I safety and efficacy data. The first patients have been treated in the Meerkat (NCT05642312) and Sandcat (NCT05642325) studies, which are evaluating the safety and efficacy of the monoclonal antibody in people with UME.12,13 Roche is also studying the IL-6 inhibitor in DME.14
AI and machine learning6,7,15-17
Roche will also present research related to the diagnosis and treatment of retinal conditions. These presentations include new research on the use of AI and machine learning to predict disease progression in geographic atrophy, a progressive and irreversible form of AMD; enable timely and accurate assessment of disease activity in nAMD or DME; predict treatment response in DME; and investigate new imaging biomarkers in diabetic retinopathy.
Further information on select Roche abstracts that will be presented at ARVO 2023 can be found in the table below.
| Topic | Abstract Title | Presentation Number /Presentation Details |
| Vabysmo | Faricimab rapidly improves fluid outcomes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration | Poster Number: C0138 Session: 123 April 24 3:15 PM to 5:15 PM CDT |
| Efficacy, durability, and safety of faricimab in diabetic macular edema (DME): 1-year results from China subpopulation of phase 3 RHINE trial | Poster Number: B0522 Session: 148 April 25 8:45 AM to 10:30 AM CDT | |
| Faricimab causes rapid and sustained intraocular suppression of Ang-2 and VEGF-A for up to 16 weeks in neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema | Poster Number: B0455 Session: 146 April 25 8:45 AM to 10:30 AM CDT | |
| Durable vision gains and greater fluid control with extended faricimab dosing versus aflibercept in patients with diabetic macular edema | #2815 oral presentation Session: 153 April 25 12:45 PM to 1:00 PM CDT | |
| Faricimab reduces macular leakage vs aflibercept in patients with DME | #2816 oral presentation Session: 153 April 25 1:00 PM to 1:15 PM CDT | |
| Faster time to retinal fluid control with faricimab in patients with DME in the phase 3 YOSEMITE/RHINE trials | #2817 oral presentation Session: 153 April 25 1:15 PM to 1:30 PM CDT | |
| Individualized faricimab dosing up to every 16 weeks maintains robust anatomic and vision outcomes through 2 years in nAMD | #5056 oral presentation Session: 271 April 27 10:45 AM to 11:00 AM CDT | |
| Uveitic Macular Edema | A novel intravitreal anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody for uveitic macular edema (UME): preliminary results from the phase 1 DOVETAIL study | #5100 oral presentation Session: 277 April 27 11:30 AM to 11:45 AM CDT |
| A novel anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody leads to restoration of IL-6-mediated endothelial barrier breakdown | Poster Number: B0163 Session: 284 April 27 10:30 AM to 12:15 PM CDT | |
| Real-World Evidence | FARETINA-AMD: Patient characteristics and initial clinical response of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated with faricimab in the IRIS Registry | Poster Number: C0171 Session: 124 April 24 3:15 PM to 5:00 PM CDT |
| FARETINA-DME: Patient characteristics and initial clinical response of patients with diabetic macular edema treated with faricimab in the IRIS Registry | Poster Number: B0521 Session: 148 April 25 8:45 AM to 10:30 AM CDT | |
| Susvimo | Port delivery system with ranibizumab in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy without center-involved diabetic macular edema: primary analysis results of the Phase 3 Pavilion trial | #3754 oral presentation Session: 205 April 26 11:00 AM to 11:15 AM CDT |
| AI/Personalised Healthcare | A pilot study of machine learning models for prediction of treatment response in patients with diabetic macular edema in a phase II clinical trial | Poster Number: C0218 Session: 21 April 23 8:00 AM to 9:45 AM CDT |
| Deep learning to predict future region of growth of geographic atrophy from fundus autofluorescence images | Poster Number: C0211 Session: 67 April 23 3:45 PM to 5:30 PM CDT | |
| Predicting geographic atrophy growth rate with clinical and derived imaging features | Poster Number: C0212 Session: 67 April 23 3:45 PM to 5:30 PM CDT | |
| Optical coherence tomography segmentation of retinal fluids using deep learning | Poster Number: C0218 Session: 67 April 23 3:45 PM to 5:30 PM CDT | |
| Deep learning segmentation of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy | Poster Number: C0219 Session: 67 April 23 3:45 PM to 5:30 PM CDT |
About neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that affects the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision needed for activities like reading.18 Neovascular or ‘wet’ AMD (nAMD) is an advanced form of the disease that can cause rapid and severe vision loss if left untreated.19,20 It develops when new and abnormal blood vessels grow uncontrolled under the macula, causing swelling, bleeding and/or fibrosis.19 Worldwide, around 20 million people are living with nAMD – the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 60 – and the condition will affect even more people around the world as the global population ages.18,21,22
About diabetic macular edema
Affecting around 21 million people globally, diabetic macular edema (DME) is a vision-threatening retinal condition associated with blindness and decreased quality of life when left untreated.23 DME occurs when damaged blood vessels leak into and cause swelling in the macula – the central area of the retina responsible for the sharp vision needed for reading and driving.24,25 The number of people with DME is expected to grow as the prevalence of diabetes increases.26
About the Vabysmo® (faricimab) clinical development programme
Roche has a robust phase III clinical development programme for Vabysmo. The programme includes AVONELLE-X, an extension study of TENAYA and LUCERNE evaluating the long-term safety and tolerability of Vabysmo in neovascular or ‘wet’ age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), and Rhone-X, an extension study of YOSEMITE and RHINE evaluating the long-term safety and tolerability of Vabysmo in diabetic macular edema (DME).27,28 In addition, Roche is investigating the efficacy and safety of Vabysmo in people with macular edema following retinal vein occlusion in two phase III studies, BALATON and COMINO.29,30 Roche has also initiated several phase IV studies, including the Elevatum study of Vabysmo in underrepresented patient populations with DME, the SALWEEN study of Vabysmo in a subpopulation of nAMD highly prevalent in Asia, as well as the VOYAGER study, a global real-world data collection platform.31-33 Roche also supports several other independent studies to further understand retinal conditions with a high unmet need.14
About Vabysmo® (faricimab)
Vabysmo is the first bispecific antibody approved for the eye.34,35 It targets and inhibits two signalling pathways linked to a number of vision-threatening retinal conditions by neutralising angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A).36,37 Ang-2 and VEGF-A contribute to vision loss by destabilising blood vessels, causing new leaky blood vessels to form and increasing inflammation.36,37 By blocking pathways involving Ang-2 and VEGF-A, Vabysmo is designed to stabilise blood vessels. Vabysmo is approved in 60 countries around the world, including the United States (U.S.), Japan, the United Kingdom and in the European Union for people living with neovascular or ‘wet’ age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.14,34,35,38,39 Review by other regulatory authorities is ongoing.
About Roche in ophthalmology
Roche is focused on saving people’s eyesight from the leading causes of vision loss through pioneering therapies. Through our innovation in the scientific discovery of new potential drug targets, personalised healthcare, molecular engineering, biomarkers and continuous drug delivery, we strive to design the right therapies for the right patients.
We have the broadest retina pipeline in ophthalmology, which is led by science and informed by insights from people with eye diseases. Our pipeline includes gene therapies and treatments for geographic atrophy and other vision-threatening diseases, including rare and inherited conditions.
Applying our extensive experience, we have already brought breakthrough ophthalmic treatments to people living with vision loss. Susvimo™ (ranibizumab injection) 100 mg/mL for intravitreal use via ocular implant is the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved refillable eye implant for neovascular or ‘wet’ age-related macular degeneration that continuously delivers a customised formulation of ranibizumab over a period of months.40 Vabysmo® (faricimab) is the first bispecific antibody approved for the eye, which targets two signalling pathways that drive retinal conditions.34,37 Lucentis®* (ranibizumab injection) is the first treatment approved to improve vision in people with certain retinal conditions.41
About Roche
Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.
In recognising our endeavor to pursue a long-term perspective in all we do, Roche has been named one of the most sustainable companies in the pharmaceuticals industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the thirteenth consecutive year. This distinction also reflects our efforts to improve access to healthcare together with local partners in every country we work.
Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.
For more information, please visit www.roche.com.
All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.
References
[1] Querques G, et al. Faricimab rapidly improves fluid parameters in patients with neovascular age-related macular edema (nAMD). Poster at: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting; 2023 April 23-27 Abstract #2185.
[2] Goldberg RA, et al. Faricimab reduces macular leakage versus aflibercept in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Presentation at: ARVO Annual Meeting; 2023 April 23-27 Presentation #2816.
[3] Pollreisz A, et al. Faster time to retinal fluid control with faricimab versus aflibercept in patients with DME in the phase III YOSEMITE/RHINE trials. Presentation at: ARVO Annual Meeting; 2023 April 23-27 Presentation #2817.
[4] Borkar DS, et al. FARETINA-AMD: Patient characteristics and initial clinical response of patients with nAMD treated with faricimab in the Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry. Poster at: ARVO Annual Meeting; 2023 April 23-27 Abstract #2218.
[5] Tabano D, et al. FARETINA-DME Patient characteristics and initial clinical response of patients with DME treated with faricimab in the IRIS Registry. Poster at: ARVO Annual Meeting; 2023 April 23-27 Abstract #2699.
[6] Anegondi N, et al. Deep learning to predict future region of growth of geographic atrophy (GA) from fundus autofluorescence images. Poster at: ARVO Annual Meeting; 2023 April 23-27 Abstract #1117.
[7] Cluceru J, et al. Predicting GA growth rate with clinical and derived imaging features. Poster at: ARVO Annual Meeting; 2023 April 23-27 Abstract #1118.
[8] Sharma S, et al. A novel intravitreal anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody for uveitic macular edema (UME): preliminary results from the phase I DOVETAIL study. Presentation at: ARVO Annual Meeting; 2023 April 23-27 Presentation #5100.
[9] Mesquida M, et al. Modelling macular edema: The effect of IL-6 and IL-6R blockade on human blood-retinal barrier integrity in vitro. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2019;8(5):32.
[10] Sood G, Patel BC. UME. [Internet; updated Aug 2022; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562158/.
[11] Roche data on file
[12] Clinical Trials.gov. A Study to Investigate RO7200220 in Participants With Uveitic Macular Edema (Meerkat) [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05642312.
[13] Clinical Trials.gov. RO7200220 in Participants With Uveitic Macular Edema (Sandcat) [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05642325.
[14] Roche data on file.
[15] Lu H, et al. Optical coherence tomography segmentation of retinal fluids using deep learning. Poster at: ARVO Annual Meeting; 2023 April 23-27 Abstract #1124.
[16] Wen Z, et al. A pilot study of machine learning models for prediction of treatment response in patients with DME in a phase II clinical trial. Poster at: ARVO Annual Meeting; 2023 April 23-27 Abstract #241.
[17] Camino Benech A, et al. Deep learning segmentation of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR). Poster at: ARVO Annual Meeting; 2023 April 23-27 Abstract #1125.
[18] Bright Focus Foundation. AMD: facts and figures. [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://www.brightfocus.org/macular/article/age-related-macular-facts-figures.
[19] Pennington KL, DeAngelis MM. Epidemiology of AMD: associations with cardiovascular disease phenotypes and lipid factors. Eye and Vision. 2016;3:34.
[20] Little K, et al. Myofibroblasts in macular fibrosis secondary to nAMD - the potential sources and molecular cues for their recruitment and activation. EBioMedicine. 2018;38:283-91.
[21] Connolly E, et al. Prevalence of AMD-associated genetic risk factors and four-year progression data in the Irish population. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018;102:1691–5.
[22] Wong WL, et al. Global prevalence of AMD and disease burden projection for 2020 and 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2014;2:106–16.
[23] Yau JWY, et al. Global prevalence and major risk factors of DR. Diabetes Care. 2012;35:556–64.
[24] National Eye Institute. DR. [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/diabetic-retinopathy.
[25] All About Vision. Macula lutea. [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://www.allaboutvision.com/resources/macula.
[26] Liu E, et al. DME: clinical risk factors and emerging genetic influences. Clin Exp Optom. 2017;100:569–76.
[27] Clinical Trials.gov. A study to evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of Vabysmo in participants with nAMD (AVONELLE-X) [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04777201.
[28] Clinical Trials.gov. A study to evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of Vabysmo in participants with DME (Rhone-X) [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04432831.
[29] Clinical Trials.gov. A study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of faricimab in participants with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BALATON) [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04740905.
[30] Clinical Trials.gov. A study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of faricimab in participants with macular edema secondary to central retinal or hemiretinal vein occlusion (COMINO) [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04740931.
[31] Clinical Trials.gov. A study to investigate faricimab treatment response in treatment-naïve, underrepresented patients with DME (ELEVATUM). [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05224102.
[32] APVRS. Design and Rationale of the SALWEEN Trial: A phase IIIb/IIII study of faricimab, a dual angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A inhibitor, in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://2022.apvrs.org/abstract/?code=200351.
[33] Clinical Trials.gov. A real-world study to gain clinical insights into Roche ophthalmology products (VOYAGER). [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05476926.
[34] United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA). Highlights of prescribing information, Vabysmo. 2022 [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/761235s000lbl.pdf.
[35] Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. MHRA approves faricimab through international work-sharing initiative [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-approves-faricimab-through-international-work-sharing-initiative.
[36] Heier JS, et al. Efficacy, durability, and safety of intravitreal faricimab up to every 16 weeks for nAMD (TENAYA and LUCERNE): two randomised, double-masked, phase III, non-inferiority trials. The Lancet. 2022; 399:729-740.
[37] Wykoff C, et al. Efficacy, durability and safety of intravitreal faricimab with extended dosing up to every 16 weeks in patients with DME (YOSEMITE and RHINE): two randomised, double-masked, phase III trials. The Lancet. 2022; 399:741-755.
[38] Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Chugai obtains regulatory approval for Vabysmo, the first bispecific antibody in ophthalmology, for nAMD and DME [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://www.chugaipharm.co.jp/english/news/detail/20220328160002_909.html.
[39] European Medicines Agency. Summary of Product Characteristics, Vabysmo, 2022 [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/vabysmo-epar-productinformation_en.pdf.
[40] U.S. FDA. Highlights of prescribing information, Susvimo. 2006 [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/761197s000lbl.pdf.
[41] U.S. FDA. Highlights of prescribing information, Lucentis. 2006 [Internet; cited April 2023]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/125156s114lbl.pdf.
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