BioBlast®

On 3 April 2024, Australia’s PBAC published the July 2024 Meeting Agenda.  On the list of drugs seeking to be PBS reimbursed is Sandoz’s high concentration Hyrimoz®, biosimilar to AbbVie’s Humira® (adalimumab).  Hyrimoz® is currently PBS-listed in a 40mg/0.8mL form and reimbursement is now being sought for 20mg/0.2mL, 40mg/0.4ml and 80mg/0.8ml forms.

Sandoz launched its high concentration formulation of Hyrimoz® in Europe in November 2023 and in the US in July 2023.

Also on the PBAC July Agenda are applications for new PBS-listings of:

• Eisai’s Leqembi® (lecanemab) for the treatment of early Alzheimer’s disease and Pfizer’s multiple myeloma treatment Elrexfio® (elranatamab), which are each yet to be TGA-approved; and
• Sanofi’s Beyfortux® (nirsevimab) for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus in babies, approved by the TGA in November 2023.

Roche has applied to PBS-list a new indication (retinal vein occlusion) and new PFS form of its Vabysmo® (faricimab).

BMS is seeking to vary the existing listings for nivolumab and ipilimumab, and Takeda is seeking authority script listing for vedolizumab for continuing treatment of chronic pouchitis.

The reimbursement of Novo Nordisk’s PBS listed Ozempic® (semaglutide) (and other GLP-1 analogues) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus will also be considered.

On 5 March 2024, the Times of India reported that Roche launched Vabysmo® (faricimab) in India for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME).    

Vabysmo® was first approved in the US by the FDA in January 2022 and is now available in multiple countries, including Europe, Canada and Australia.  In October 2023, Roche received a new indication approval by FDA for the use of Vabysmo® to treat macular oedema following retinal vein occlusion.  Since its first launch date, Vabysmo ® has achieved global sales of US$2.7 billion.   

Roche announced that the FDA has approved Vabysmo® (faricimab) to treat a new indication: macular oedema following retinal vein occlusion.  The clinical trials demonstrated non inferiority against aflibercept (marketed by Bayer/Regeneron’s as Eylea®).  The FDA accepted Roche’s sBLA for Vabysmo® (faricimab) for this indication on 9 May 2023The FDA accepted Roche’s sBLA for Vabysmo® (faricimab) for this indication on 9 May 2023, which is its third approved indication.

Vabysmo® was first FDA approved for treat wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema on 28 January 2022.  Vabysmo® was first  FDA approved for treat wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema on 28 January 2022.

Roche has announced that it has successfully concluded meetings with pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) regarding Vabysmo® (faricimab).  The company said that it secured a letter of intent with the pCPA for Vabysmo®, a treatment indicated for neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.  The pCPA’s mandate is to enhance patient access to clinically relevant and cost-effective drug treatment options by conducting collective, expert-informed negotiations for drugs. 

Roche Canada intends to work with other provincial jurisdictions to make Vabysmo® available as soon as possible through public drug plans. 

This news comes a few weeks after the FDA accepted Roche’s sBLA for Vabysmo® to treat macular edema following retinal vein occlusion.  

Roche announced that the FDA has accepted its sBLA for Vabysmo® (faricimab) to treat macular edema following retinal vein occlusion.  The sBLA is based on results from the phase III BALATON and COMINO studies which met primary endpoint of non-inferior visual acuity gains at 24 weeks compared to aflibercept.

Last year, Health Canada approved Vabysmo® for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.

Roche announced that Health Canada has approved Vabysmo® (faricimab) for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME).  This is the first approved treatment in Canada for wet AMD and DME that targets both VEGF-A and Ang-2.

The UK’s NICE published final draft guidance recommending Vabysmo® (faricimab) for the treatment of adult patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic macular oedema (DMO).

Genentech announced that the FDA has approved Vabysmo™ (faricimab) for the treatment of people with wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.

Roche announced new Ph III data shows faricimab (given at intervals of up to four months) is non-inferior compared to aflibercept (given every two months). This may reduce the treatment burden for patients suffering from diabetic macular edema and neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Roche announces results for its investigational bispecific antibody faricimab in patients with diabetic macular edema. Roche announced that the candidate was generally well-tolerated with no new safety signals identified. This product is being developed as a replacement for Lucentis® (ranibizumab), which lost patent protection in the US this year.