(Updated May 13, 2020)
Genentech has announced positive results from the Phase II STAIRWAY study which explored the extended durability of faricimab (RG7716) in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). At 52 weeks, faricimab patients dosed either every 16 weeks or every 12 weeks demonstrated sustained vision outcomes comparable to Lucentis (ranibizumab) dosed every four weeks.
“Because current anti-VEGF monotherapies for wet AMD are burdensome, requiring frequent clinic visits for eye injections, some people are under-treated and experience subsequent declining vision over time,” said Sandra Horning, M.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. “The STAIRWAY data show the potential of faricimab to allow fewer injections while achieving and sustaining the same visual gains seen with a current standard of care.”
Based on STAIRWAY, a global Phase III program for faricimab in wet AMD began in 2019. The efficacy of faricimab administered at 12- and 16-week intervals was evaluated against ranibizumab every 4 weeks. At week 24, researchers reported in May 2020 that 65% of faricimab-treated patients were disease activity-free. More information.
Two pivotal Phase III studies for faricimab for people with diabetic macular edema (DME) are currently open and enrolling: RHINE and YOSEMITE. These two studies are designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of faricimab compared with Eylea (aflibercept) . More information.