Sandoz Launches Lupin's Biosimilar Eye Treatment Across Europe, Excluding Germany
Ranluspec, a ranibizumab biosimilar, is being launched in Europe for retinal diseases following European Commission approval.
Sandoz has launched Ranluspec, a biosimilar eye treatment developed by Lupin, across Europe excluding Germany, Lupin announced Thursday.
The rollout follows European Commission approval of the medicine in both vial and pre-filled syringe presentations. The announcement concerns European availability, rather than a new U.S. approval.
Ranluspec contains ranibizumab, an antibody fragment that binds to and inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor A, or VEGF-A. The protein is involved in the growth of blood vessels and is a target in treatments for several retinal conditions.
Its approved indications include wet age-related macular degeneration, swelling of the macula following retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular edema, proliferative diabetic retinopathy and choroidal neovascularization.
Lupin said the launch with its commercial partner Sandoz is intended to expand access to biologic treatment options for retinal and choroidal vascular diseases. The company did not provide country-by-country prices or a quantified estimate of savings in its announcement.
A biosimilar is a biological medicine developed to be highly similar to an already authorized reference medicine. The launch does not mean that every patient with an eye condition is eligible for the treatment; the approved condition and a clinician's assessment remain relevant.