Brolucizumab improves BCVA in patients with wet AMD with early persistent fluid

Fewer patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with brolucizumab (Beovu; Novartis) had early persistent fluid compared with patients treated with aflibercept, according to results of a post-hoc analyses of the Phase 3 HAWK and HARRIER clinical trials presented at the EURETINA 2020 virtual congress.

In patients with brolucizumab who had early persistent fluid, greater best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) gains and greater reductions in central subfield thickness (CST) at week 96 were demonstrated versus patients treated with aflibercept.

Results from an additional analysis presented at EURETINA showed that at week 96, 80% of patients treated with brolucizumab achieved CST control compared to 69% of patients treated with aflibercept. Better visual gains were noted in patients who had CST controlled longer than those who remained in an uncontrolled CST state.

“The data presented at EURETINA suggests Beovu can better help patients who have persistent retinal fluid achieve disease control by reducing CST and improving their vision in the long term,” said Dirk Sauer, Global Head Development, Novartis Pharma Ophthalmology in a press release. “These results further strengthen our confidence in Beovu as an effective and important treatment option for wet AMD patients aiming to improve their vision.”

Reference
Singh RP, et al. Multi-State Model Analysis of Central Subfield Thickness with Brolucizumab and Aflibercept in Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration: 96 week pooled data from HAWK and HARRIER. Presented at: EURETINA 2020 Congress. October 2020.
Lally D. An assessment of BCVA and CST outcomes with brolucizumab and aflibercept in patients with early persistent retinal fluid: 96 week pooled data from HAWK and HARRIER. Presented at: EURETINA 2020 congress. October 2020.