Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor biosimilars for diseases of the retina: a review.

Abstract

Anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (Anti‐VEGF) biosimilars are newly developed similar versions of the original anti‐VEGF medicines. Biosimilar medicines do not have exactly the same structure as the original medicines. Biosimilars, produced by a different manufacturer are, therefore, not identical to the reference product but have been shown to be highly similar in structure and function to their reference biologic. These biosimilars are injected in the same way as the original anti‐VEGF medicines, and are cheaper than them. Since there is no universally accepted definition of a biosimilar, prominent regulatory and health organizations have issued their own definitions in various guidance and regulatory documents. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a biosimilar is a biological product demonstrated to be highly similar in quality, safety, and efficacy to an already licensed reference product. The development of intravitreally injected biologic medicines acting against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) substantially improved the clinical outcomes of patients with common VEGF-driven diseases of the retina. Anti-VEGF therapies, which target vascular permeability, angiogenesis, and inflammatory responses by inhibiting VEGF signaling, are standard-of-care treatments for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), macular edema after retinal vein occlusion (RVO), myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV), and diabetic macular edema (DME). The aim of the study. The purpose of this review is to provide the best available evidence from clinical trials to support decision-making regarding the use of anti-VEGF biosimilars for the treatment of diseases of the retina, and to provide reliable information for people with disease of the retina and healthcare professionals to aid in effective decision-making.