Press Release // February 6, 2023
Aflibercept Biosimilar Candidate FYB203 shows comparable efficacy to the reference product Eylea®1 in Phase III Study
- MAGELLAN-AMD study demonstrates the comparable efficacy of FYB203 to the reference product Eylea® in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD)
- Primary efficacy endpoint for submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) achieved in global phase III study
- Second successful clinical development program in the field of ophthalmological biosimilars highlights Formycon’s strong position in this area
Munich – Formycon AG (ISIN: DE000A1EWVY8/ WKN: A1EWVY) today published positive preliminary efficacy and safety data from MAGELLAN-AMD Phase III clinical trial for FYB203, its proposed biosimilar to Eylea®.
The FDA-specific interim analysis of the randomized, double-blind, multi-center phase III study met the primary efficacy endpoint, demonstrating comparable efficacy between FYB203 and the reference medicine Eylea® in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).
The primary endpoint of the comparative global Phase III trial measures the change in best corrected visual acuity after eight weeks from baseline. The values obtained for FYB203 and the reference product are within the relevant equivalence limits. In addition, to date, the study was conducted without any clinically relevant differences in terms of safety and immunogenicity.
Following the approval and market launch of the ophthalmological biosimilar for Lucentis® (FYB201 marketed as Ongavia®2 (UK), Ranivisio®3 (EU), and CimerliTM4 (US)), Formycon is now announcing, with FYB203, another successful development in the field of ophthalmology, thereby highlighting its strong position in this area.
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is caused by the excessive growth of blood vessels in the retina. The active ingredient aflibercept inhibits the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is responsible for the excessive formation of blood vessels in the retina, which leads to a progressive loss of vision. In industrialized countries, AMD is the most common cause of severe visual impairment or blindness. According to estimates, up to 77 million Europeans will be affected by 2050.
Eylea® is currently the top-selling drug in the field of age-related eye disease and in 2021 achieved revenues of around US$ 9 billion. Recently, Klinge Biopharma GmbH, licensee and exclusive holder of the worldwide commercialization rights of FYB203, had entered into a binding term sheet for the exclusive commercialization of FYB203 in the United States of America with Coherus BioSciences, Inc.
Formycon's CSO, Dr. Andreas Seidl, comments on the successful phase III study as follows: “We are delighted that our second project in the field of ophthalmology was able to impress in the clinical phase III MAGELLAN-AMD study. Given the extensive experience from FYB201, we are confident that we will also be able to make a high-quality and cost-effective biosimilar available with FYB203, thereby further expanding our strong position in the field of biosimilar development.”
- Eylea® is a registered trademark of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
- Ongavia® is a registered trademark of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
- Ranivisio® is a registered trademark of Bioeq AG
- CimerliTM is a trademark of Coherus BioSciences, Inc.
About Formycon:
Formycon (ISIN: DE000A1EWVY8 / WKN: A1EWVY) is a leading, independent developer of high-quality biopharmaceutical medicines, especially biosimilars. The company focuses on treatments in ophthalmology, immunology and on other key chronic diseases, covering the entire value chain from technical development to the clinical phase III as well as the preparation of dossiers for marketing approval. With its biosimilars, Formycon is making a major contribution towards providing as many patients as possible with access to vital and affordable medicines. Formycon currently has six biosimilars in development. Based on its extensive experience in the development of biopharmaceutical drugs, the company is also working on the development of a COVID-19 drug FYB207.
About Biosimilars:
Since their introduction in the 1980s, biopharmaceuticals have revolutionized the treatment of serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and eye diseases. In the coming years, many of these biotech drugs will lose their patent protection – and by 2025, medications with revenues of approximately USD 100 billion will be off patent. Biosimilars are follow-on versions of biopharmaceuticals, for which exclusivity has expired. They are approved via stringent regulatory pathways in highly regulated markets (such as EU, US, Japan, Canada, Australia) based on proven similarity of the biosimilar with the originator biopharmaceutical reference product. Currently, global sales of biosimilars are estimated at more than $15 billion. By 2030, analysts estimate that this figure could rise to over $60 billion.
Contact:
Sabrina Müller
Senior Manager Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
Formycon AG
Fraunhoferstr. 15
82152 Martinsried/Planegg/Germany
phone +49 (0) 89 - 86 46 67 149
fax + 49 (0) 89 - 86 46 67 110
//
Disclaimer:
This press release may contain forward-looking statements and information which are based on our current expectations and certain assumptions. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, performance of the company, development of the products and the estimates given here. Such known and unknown risks and uncertainties comprise, among others, the research and development, the regulatory approval process, the timing of the actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities, clinical results, changes in laws and regulations, product quality, patient safety, patent litigation, contractual risks and dependencies from third parties. With respect to pipeline products, Formycon AG does not provide any representation, warranties or any other guarantees that the products will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially exploitable and/or successful. Formycon AG assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements or to correct them in case of developments which differ from those anticipated. This document neither constitutes an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of Formycon AG. No public offering of securities of Formycon AG will be made nor is a public offering intended. This document and the information contained therein may not be distributed in or into the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Japan or any other jurisdictions, in which such offer or such solicitation would be prohibited. This document does not constitute an offer for the sale of securities in the United States.
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Li JQ, Welchowski T, Schmid M, et al. Prevalence and incidence of age-related macular degeneration in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis British Journal of Ophthalmology 2020;104:1077-1084.: . Last accessed in January 2023.
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