Ophthalmology Overview: Bevacizumab BLA in Wet AMD, Long COVID-19 and Corneal Nerve Damage, and More

Highlighting the latest ophthalmology-related news reported across MJH Life Sciences^™.

Ophthalmologic Bevacizumab Formulation One Step Closer to FDA Approval

This week, Outlook Therapeutics announced positive clinical and highly significant top-line results from the phase 3 NORSE TWO safety and efficacy trial comparing bevacizumab with ranibizumab, sold as Lucentis, in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

As reported by Ophthalmology Times^®, successful completion of the trial served as the final step needed in the clinical evaluation of bevacizumab to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the FDA. These results add to the positive top-line results reported in 2 clinical trials earlier this year of bevacizumab, a full-length, humanized anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) biosimilar for the treatment of wet AMD.

Outlook Therapeutics announced plans to submit a BLA in the first quarter of 2022. If approved, bevacizumab would become the first ophthalmologic formulation of bevacizumab to treat retinal conditions.

The originator drug, Avastin, is used off label currently for wet AMD.

Long COVID-19 Linked With Corneal Nerve Damage

Findings of an observational study suggest adverse events related to long COVID-19 may be detectable in the eyes of patients via nerve damage in the cornea and increased dendritic cells, according to Modern Retina^TM.

Examining patients through corneal confocal microscopy (CCM), those with neurological symptoms 4 weeks after acute COVID-19 exhibited lower corneal nerve parameters than controls. Moreover, patients with more severe cases of COVID-19 typically presented with greater corneal nerve damage.

However, these findings were observed in a small cohort and they could not confirm whether the virus caused the corneal abnormalities in patients. Pending further research on CCM, researchers noted that it could be used to objectively identify patients with long COVID-19, which affects up to 30% of patients after recovering from acute COVID-19 infection.

United Nations Adopts First-Ever Resolution on Vision

Seeking to improve access to eye care worldwide, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly announced the approval of its first-ever resolution on vision, called “Vision for Everyone,” which will be sponsored by Bangladesh, Antigua and Ireland, and co-sponsored by over 100 countries.

As reported by Ophthalmology Times^®, the resolution was adopted late last month by the UN and will commit the organization to improving vision for 1.1 billion people living with preventable vision loss by 2030.

Encouraging all 193 member nations to adopt a federal approach to eye care, the UN resolution is also urging international financial institutions and donors to provide targeted financing to tackle the rising impact of vision loss on economic and social development.