• The MAGELLAN-AMD study investigates the comparable efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of Formycon’s aflibercept biosimilar candidate FYB203 and the reference product Eylea®1 in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD)
  • Global development program highlights leading position of Formycon and Bioeq in the field of ophthalmologic biosimilars

Munich – Formycon AG (ISIN: DE000A1EWVY8/ WKN: A1EWVY) and Bioeq GmbH have today announced the launch of the randomized, double-blind, multi-center phase III study for FYB203, a biosimilar candidate to Eylea®. The aim of the clinical study is to demonstrate the comparability of FYB203 and the reference product Eylea® in terms of efficacy, safety and immunogenicity in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Also known as wet AMD, this is one of the main causes of loss of vision in people over the age of 50 in developed countries. The study design was developed in agreement with the US drug authority (FDA), the European regulatory authority (EMA) and the Japanese regulatory authority (PMDA) and is intended to support the approval process in these regions. Bioeq GmbH, a company of the ATHOS Group, is the sponsor of the phase III study.

The active ingredient aflibercept (Eylea®) 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. Eylea® is the highest-selling drug in the field of age-related eye disease and in 2019 achieved revenues of around US$ 7.5 billion. In 2015, Formycon AG concluded an exclusive global licensing agreement for FYB203 with Santo Holding (Deutschland) GmbH.

Formycon’s COO, Dr. Stefan Glombitza, sees the company’s leading position in ophthalmologic biosimilar development being confirmed: “We are delighted that our second project in the field of ophthalmology is now starting the phase III study. Given the extensive experience from the FYB201 project and the successful cooperation with Bioeq GmbH, we are confident that we will also be able to develop a high-quality and cost-effective biosimilar with FYB203. The active ingredient, aflibercept, is an extremely effective and proven treatment for wet macular degeneration and we want to play our part in ensuring that as many patients as possible gain access to this treatment option.”

1 Eylea® is a registered trademark of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.