Ranibizumab injection (Susvimo) for the treatment of wet or neovascular age-related macular degeneration has been reintroduced to the market after undergoing FDA approved updates.
The 100 mg/mL injections provide an alternative to regular eye injections, which are the standard of care for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), impacting 1.5 million people in the U.S. and 20 million people worldwide. Wet AMD can cause blindness if left untreated. The delivery system of Susvimo involves a refillable implant delivering medication to the eye, requiring only two refills per year.
Genentech voluntarily recalled the product in 2021 due to performance issues. The reintroduced implant meets the necessary performance standards, according to a company press release.
“Susvimo’s return to the retina community reflects our unwavering commitment to provide innovative retinal treatments, and lays the groundwork for future advancements," said Levi Garraway, M.D., Genentech’s chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development.
The treatment has been associated with a higher rate of endophthalmitis compared to monthly intravitreal injections. Other serious side effects include conjunctival erosion, conjunctival retraction, retinal detachment, implant dislocation, implant damage, vitreous hemorrhage, and conjunctival bleb. Patients should not use Susvimo if they have an infection in or around their eye, active swelling, or a known allergy to ranibizumab.
The most common reported adverse reactions included blood on the white of the eye (72%), redness (26%), sensitivity to light (23%), and eye pain (10%).