BY NAZRINZULAIQA HASBI
KUCHING: Brolucizumab, the new anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agent by Novartis, has been approved by Malaysia’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, making it the first in a country in Southeast Asia.
Novartis Malaysia president and managing director Patrick Grande said worldwide trials were conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of brolucizumab compared to other anti-VEGF treatment already in the market.
“This therapy is proven to slow the progression of wet age-related macular degeneration (Wet AMD),” he said during the ‘Brolucizumab: New Hope in Sight – Redefining Wet AMD Management in Malaysia’ today via Zoom.
He also disclosed that brolucizumab is the first medicine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the ability to maintain eligible wet AMD patients on a three-month dosing interval immediately after the loading first and second phase with uncompromised efficacy.
“Brolucizumab meets the goals in clinical practice for treating wet AMD by improving vision and drying retinal fluid.”
He noted that the treatment also allowed less frequent injections thus could alleviate a burden for patients and their caregivers, improving compliance and overall outcomes.
“With a more tolerable treatment schedule, patients need not travel as much during this pandemic lockdown period so they can have more time to focus on what’s important in their lives.”
Grande stated that this was aligned with Novartis’ commitment of reimagining medicine and treatments for patients suffering from serious visual impairment and who live with this condition every day of their lives.
“In ophthalmology, our purpose is in developing and delivering life-changing medicines and therapies for diseases and conditions from front to back of the eye, enabled by data and transformative technologies.”
Wet AMD is a chronic condition where abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the macula and it often affects those who are over 60.
The macula is the central part of the retina in the eye that is responsible for sharp, clear, central vision and the ability to perceive colour.
