FDA approves first interchangeable biosimilars to Eylea

On Monday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Biocon’s (BSE: 532523) Yesafili (aflibercept-jbvf) and Samsung Bioepis and Biogen’s (Nasdaq: BIIB) Opuviz (aflibercept-yszy) as the first interchangeable biosimilars referencing Regeneron’s (Nasdaq: REGN) Eylea (aflibercept).

The products work by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and preventing new or abnormal blood vessel growth. By blocking VEGF, these products help to slow down or stop damage to the retina and preserve vision.

The FDA noted that both Yesafili and Opuviz are used to treat: neovascular (Wet) age-related macular degeneration; macular edema following retinal vein occlusion; diabetic macular edema; and diabetic retinopathy.