Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced the
first presentation of positive results from the Phase 3 QUASAR
trial investigating EYLEA HD® (aflibercept) Injection 8 mg for
the treatment of patients with macular edema following retinal vein
occlusion (RVO), including those with central, branch and
hemiretinal vein occlusions. The data were presented today at the
virtual Angiogenesis (Angiogenesis, Exudation, and Degeneration)
2025 annual meeting and will support the submission of a
supplemental Biologics License Application to the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) in the first quarter of 2025.
“Retinal vein occlusion is the second most common retinal
vascular disease. However, the current treatment paradigm of
monthly eye injections can make it challenging for patients to
maintain their treatment plan, potentially leading to poor
adherence and vision loss,” said Seenu M. Hariprasad, M.D., Chair
of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual
Science, The University of Chicago. “Based on these new data,
aflibercept 8 mg may offer the potential to halve the number of
injections needed, as compared to standard-of-care aflibercept 2 mg
and other anti-VEGF therapies.”
As presented at Angiogenesis, the QUASAR trial met its primary
endpoint at 36 weeks, with both groups of EYLEA HD patients dosed
every 8 weeks achieving non-inferior visual acuity gains compared
to those receiving EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection 2 mg dosed every
4 weeks. The EYLEA HD results were consistent across patients
with branch retinal vein occlusions, and those
with central retinal or hemiretinal vein
occlusions. Furthermore, in patients treated with EYLEA HD through
36 weeks, 88% of patients were able to sustain an 8-week dosing
regimen following 3 initial monthly doses, and 93% of patients
maintained an 8-week dosing regimen after completing 5 initial
monthly doses.
The safety profile of EYLEA HD (n=591) was similar to EYLEA
(n=301) in QUASAR and remained generally consistent with the known
safety profile of EYLEA HD in its pivotal trials. Ocular
treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurring in ≥5% of all
EYLEA HD patients included increased ocular pressure (5%); there
was one case each of endophthalmitis and retinal vasculitis. The
rate of intraocular inflammation was 0.5% for EYLEA HD and 1.3% for
EYLEA.
Data from QUASAR were first shared in December
2024.
EYLEA HD (known as Eylea™ 8 mg in the European
Union and Japan) is being jointly developed
by Regeneron and Bayer AG. In
the U.S., Regeneron maintains exclusive rights to
EYLEA and EYLEA HD. Bayer has licensed the exclusive marketing
rights outside of the U.S., where the companies share equally
the profits from sales of EYLEA and EYLEA HD.
The safety and efficacy of EYLEA HD for the treatment of RVO has
not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About the QUASAR TrialQUASAR is a global
double-masked, active-controlled Phase 3 trial evaluating the
efficacy and safety of EYLEA HD in patients with macular edema
secondary to RVO, including those with central retinal vein
occlusion, branch retinal vein occlusion, or hemiretinal vein
occlusion.
In the trial, patients were randomized into three groups to
receive either: EYLEA HD every 8 weeks following 3 initial monthly
doses; EYLEA HD every 8 weeks following 5 initial monthly doses; or
EYLEA every 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was mean change in BCVA
from randomization through week 36, as measured by the Early
Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letter score.
Patients in the EYLEA HD groups can have their dosing intervals
shortened to a minimum of every 4 weeks throughout the trial if
protocol-defined criteria for disease progression are met. Dosing
intervals may be extended based on protocol-defined criteria
starting at week 32 for patients who receive EYLEA or EYLEA HD
after 3 initial monthly doses or at week 40 for patients who
receive EYLEA HD after 5 initial monthly doses, with follow-up
planned through week 64.
QUASAR is being operationalized by Bayer under a collaboration
agreement with Regeneron.
About Retinal Vein OcclusionRVO is a common
cause of vision loss in adults and the second most common retinal
vascular disease. RVO occurs when there is a blockage in a vein in
the retina, which leads to a buildup of blood, restricted blood
flow, increased pressure and sometimes pain in the eye. RVO may
cause sudden blurry vision or vision loss and can ultimately result
in serious complications like swelling in the eye called macular
edema.
A protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is
instrumental in causing the vascular leakage that leads to macular
edema. When a vein in the retina is blocked, the levels of VEGF
increase, which spurs new blood vessel growth. Too much VEGF can
lead to the formation of abnormal blood vessels and may cause
vision to become blurry. Anti-VEGF injections are commonly used to
treat macular edema due to RVO.
There are two main types of RVO: central retinal vein occlusion
(CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). In CRVO, the
buildup occurs in the eye’s central retinal vein and in BRVO, the
buildup occurs in one of the smaller branch veins. Globally, RVO
affects over 28 million people.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND
INDICATIONS
INDICATIONSEYLEA HD® (aflibercept)
Injection 8 mg is a prescription medicine approved for the
treatment of patients with Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration
(AMD), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), and Diabetic Retinopathy
(DR).
EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection 2 mg is a prescription medicine
approved for the treatment of patients with Wet Age-Related Macular
Degeneration (AMD), Macular Edema following Retinal Vein Occlusion
(RVO), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), and
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) (0.4 mg).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
- EYLEA HD and EYLEA are administered by
injection into the eye. You should not use EYLEA HD or EYLEA if you
have an infection in or around the eye, eye pain or redness, or
known allergies to any of the ingredients in EYLEA HD or EYLEA,
including aflibercept.
- Injections into the eye with EYLEA HD
or EYLEA can result in an infection in the eye, retinal detachment
(separation of retina from back of the eye) and, more rarely,
serious inflammation of blood vessels in the retina that may
include blockage. Call your doctor right away if you or your baby
(if being treated with EYLEA for Retinopathy of Prematurity)
experience eye pain or redness, light sensitivity, or a change in
vision after an injection.
- In some patients, injections with EYLEA
HD or EYLEA may cause a temporary increase in eye pressure within 1
hour of the injection. Sustained increases in eye pressure have
been reported with repeated injections, and your doctor may monitor
this after each injection.
- In infants with Retinopathy of
Prematurity (ROP), treatment with EYLEA will need extended periods
of ROP monitoring.
- There is a potential but rare risk of
serious and sometimes fatal side effects, related to blood clots,
leading to heart attack or stroke in patients receiving EYLEA HD or
EYLEA.
- The most common side effects reported
in patients receiving EYLEA HD were cataract, increased redness in
the eye, increased pressure in the eye, eye discomfort, pain, or
irritation, blurred vision, vitreous (gel-like substance) floaters,
vitreous detachment, injury to the outer layer of the eye, and
bleeding in the back of the eye.
- The most common side effects reported
in patients receiving EYLEA were increased redness in the eye, eye
pain, cataract, vitreous detachment, vitreous floaters, moving
spots in the field of vision, and increased pressure in the
eye.
- The most common side effects reported
in pre-term infants with ROP receiving EYLEA were separation of the
retina from the back of the eye, increased redness in the eye, and
increased pressure in the eye. Side effects that occurred in adults
are considered applicable to pre-term infants with ROP, though not
all were seen in clinical studies.
- You may experience temporary visual
changes after an EYLEA HD or EYLEA injection and associated eye
exams; do not drive or use machinery until your vision recovers
sufficiently.
- For additional safety information,
please talk to your doctor and see the full Prescribing Information
for EYLEA HD and EYLEA.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of
prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or
call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information
for EYLEA
HD and EYLEA.
About Regeneron Regeneron (NASDAQ:
REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and
commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious
diseases. Founded and led by physician-scientists, our unique
ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into
medicine has led to numerous approved treatments and product
candidates in development, most of which were homegrown in our
laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help
patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases,
cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neurological
diseases, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases, and rare
diseases.
Regeneron pushes the boundaries of scientific discovery
and accelerates drug development using our proprietary
technologies, such as VelociSuite®, which produces optimized fully
human antibodies and new classes of bispecific antibodies. We are
shaping the next frontier of medicine with data-powered insights
from the Regeneron Genetics Center® and pioneering genetic medicine
platforms, enabling us to identify innovative targets and
complementary approaches to potentially treat or cure diseases.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow
Regeneron on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or X.
Forward-Looking Statements and Use of Digital
MediaThis press release includes forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties relating to future
events and the future performance of Regeneron
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Regeneron” or the “Company”), and
actual events or results may differ materially from these
forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate,” “expect,”
“intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” variations of such
words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking
statements contain these identifying words. These statements
concern, and these risks and uncertainties include, among others,
the nature, timing, and possible success and therapeutic
applications of products marketed or otherwise commercialized
by Regeneron and/or its collaborators or licensees
(collectively, “Regeneron’s Products”) and product candidates being
developed by Regeneron and/or its collaborators or
licensees (collectively, “Regeneron’s Product Candidates”) and
research and clinical programs now underway or planned, including
without limitation EYLEA HD® (aflibercept) Injection 8 mg; the
likelihood, timing, and scope of possible regulatory approval and
commercial launch of Regeneron’s Product Candidates and new
indications for Regeneron’s Products, such as EYLEA HD for the
treatment of patients with macular edema following retinal vein
occlusion (“RVO”); uncertainty of the utilization, market
acceptance, and commercial success of Regeneron’s Products and
Regeneron’s Product Candidates and the impact of studies (whether
conducted by Regeneron or others and whether mandated or
voluntary), including the studies discussed or referenced in this
press release, on any of the foregoing or any potential regulatory
approval of Regeneron’s Products (such as EYLEA HD for the
treatment of patients with RVO) and Regeneron’s Product Candidates;
the ability of Regeneron’s collaborators, licensees, suppliers, or
other third parties (as applicable) to perform manufacturing,
filling, finishing, packaging, labeling, distribution, and other
steps related to Regeneron’s Products and Regeneron’s Product
Candidates; the ability of Regeneron to manage supply
chains for multiple products and product candidates; safety issues
resulting from the administration of Regeneron’s Products (such as
EYLEA HD) and Regeneron’s Product Candidates in patients, including
serious complications or side effects in connection with the use of
Regeneron’s Products and Regeneron’s Product Candidates in clinical
trials; determinations by regulatory and administrative
governmental authorities which may delay or restrict Regeneron’s
ability to continue to develop or commercialize Regeneron’s
Products and Regeneron’s Product Candidates; ongoing regulatory
obligations and oversight impacting Regeneron’s Products, research
and clinical programs, and business, including those relating to
patient privacy; the availability and extent of reimbursement of
Regeneron’s Products from third-party payers, including private
payer healthcare and insurance programs, health maintenance
organizations, pharmacy benefit management companies, and
government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid; coverage and
reimbursement determinations by such payers and new policies and
procedures adopted by such payers; changes in laws, regulations,
and policies affecting the healthcare industry; competing drugs and
product candidates that may be superior to, or more cost effective
than, Regeneron’s Products and Regeneron’s Product Candidates
(including biosimilar versions of Regeneron’s Products); the extent
to which the results from the research and development programs
conducted by Regeneron and/or its collaborators or
licensees may be replicated in other studies and/or lead to
advancement of product candidates to clinical trials, therapeutic
applications, or regulatory approval; unanticipated expenses; the
costs of developing, producing, and selling products; the ability
of Regeneron to meet any of its financial projections or
guidance and changes to the assumptions underlying those
projections or guidance; the potential for any license,
collaboration, or supply agreement, including Regeneron’s
agreements with Sanofi and Bayer (or their respective affiliated
companies, as applicable), to be cancelled or terminated; the
impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics, or pandemics
on Regeneron's business; and risks associated with litigation
and other proceedings and government investigations relating to the
Company and/or its operations (including the pending civil
proceedings initiated or joined by the U.S. Department of
Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District
of Massachusetts), risks associated with intellectual property of
other parties and pending or future litigation relating thereto
(including without limitation the patent litigation and other
related proceedings relating to EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection 2
mg), the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings and
investigations, and the impact any of the foregoing may have on
Regeneron’s business, prospects, operating results, and financial
condition. A more complete description of these and other material
risks can be found in Regeneron’s filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2024. Any forward-looking statements
are made based on management’s current beliefs and judgment, and
the reader is cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking
statements made by Regeneron. Regeneron does not
undertake any obligation to update (publicly or otherwise) any
forward-looking statement, including without limitation any
financial projection or guidance, whether as a result of new
information, future events, or otherwise.
Regeneron uses its media and investor relations website and
social media outlets to publish important information about the
Company, including information that may be deemed material to
investors. Financial and other information
about Regeneron is routinely posted and is accessible
on Regeneron's media and investor relations website
(https://investor.regeneron.com) and its LinkedIn page
(https://www.linkedin.com/company/regeneron-pharmaceuticals).
Contacts:Media RelationsMary
HeatherTel: +1 914-847-8650mary.heather@regeneron.com |
Investor RelationsMark HudsonTel: +1
914-847-3482mark.hudson@regeneron.com |
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