New aflibercept biosimilar may ease retinal drug costs and help protect members' vision
Serious retinal diseases that disproportionately affect older adults and people with diabetes rank among the leading causes of vision impairment in Canada, making treatment access and cost a key concern for health benefit plans.
Sandoz said it has launched Enzeevu (aflibercept) in Canada as its first ophthalmology biosimilar, positioned as a lower-cost alternative for people living with serious retinal conditions across the country.
According to the company, Enzeevu is a biosimilar to the reference medicine EYLEA and holds approval for all the same indications.
The product’s labelled uses include neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), visual impairment due to macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), diabetic macular edema (DME), and myopic choroidal neovascularization (myopic CNV).
These conditions are described as some of the leading drivers of vision loss in Canada, particularly among older adults and people with diabetes.
Michel Robidoux, president and general manager of Sandoz Canada, said that with retinal diseases becoming more common, access to effective and affordable treatment has never been more important.
He added that by offering a biosimilar to one of the most widely used therapies in this field, the company is “helping to improve affordability and access for thousands of patients nationwide.”
Sandoz said Enzeevu comes as a 2 mg/0.05 mL solution for intravitreal injection in a single-use pre-filled syringe, delivering a single 2 mg dose of aflibercept.
The company noted that the product has a similar appearance to the reference medicine, which it says supports continuity of care and may help patients who transition from existing treatment.
Patients and healthcare professionals will also have access to a “comprehensive patient support program” during treatment with Enzeevu, which Sandoz said will provide practical support and guidance throughout the treatment journey.
