
Advancements in ophthalmology: A comprehensive look at the FDA's 2023 approvals
Ophthalmology witnessed a transformative year with 12 FDA approvals. As the year concludes, there remains a robust pipeline of drugs, setting high expectations for continued advancements in ophthalmological care in 2024 and beyond.
In ophthalmology, 2023 proved to be a big year, with a staggering 12 approvals by the FDA. On top of those approvals, complete response letters (CRL) were issued to several companies.
When talking about the year and all of its advancements, Peter J. McDonnell, MD, director of the Wilmer Eye Institute and chief medical editor of Ophthalmology Times stated, “I think there has never been a better time to be an ophthalmologist.”
Starting the year off strong, one of the first, and biggest, FDA approvals came with
McDonnell pointed out that it was a major advance to have a therapy for neovascular AMD and now (considering the much larger number of patients with atrophic AMD) this represents an even greater achievement in terms of addressing unmet needs.
“The availability of this new therapy will have major implications in terms of the ability of us ophthalmologists to treat this extremely large number of patients and for payors (especially Medicare) to absorb this additional cost,” McDonnell said.
However, following the approval of pegcetacoplan in February, and after the acquirement of Iveric Bio in July, Astellas Pharma received FDA approval for
Apellis wasn’t the only company to come out in 2023 swinging either, as Regeneron had their
At the time of approval, George D. Yancopoulos, MD, PhD, president and chief scientific officer of Regeneron stated, “until now, the only FDA-approved treatment in common use was laser photocoagulation, a complex and lengthy procedure that permanently ablates retina tissue and is stressful not only for infant patients but also the family navigating a delicate time after a preterm birth.
“For the first time, physicians will now have an FDA-approved medication in EYLEA to treat this heartbreaking disease in these smallest of patients,” Yancopoulos added at the time. “We thank the investigators and the many families who participated in the clinical trials.”
Later in the year, Regeneron also had
Breaking through with yet another first in the field of ophthalmic drugs was Eyenovia with the
The first of many CRLs in 2023 was handed down in June to Aldeyra Therapeutics who were seeking the approval of ADX-2191 (methotrexate for injection) for the treatment of patients with primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL).
The CRL was due to a “lack of substantial evidence of effectiveness” due to “a lack of adequate and well-controlled investigations.” At the time, no clinical trials for ADX-2191 were conducted in patients with PVRL, based on prior discussions with the FDA.
Unfortunately for Aldeyra, this would be 1 of 2 CRLs the FDA would issue to them in 2023.
Most recently
The same month Aldeyra was handed a CRL for ADX-2191,
Another first in the field was awarded to Tarsus Pharmaceuticals Inc. when the FDA approved the company’s lotilaner ophthalmic solution 0.25%
The second company to receive a CRL was Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company (SPARC) for PDP-716 (brimonidine tartrate 0.35%) for the treatment of patients with Glaucoma, due to inspection findings at a third-party Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing facility. The FDA did not raise any issues with the PDP-176 clinical efficacy or safety and no additional clinical data or trials were requested. SPARC had previously licensed global commercialization rights, excluding India and China, of PDP-716 to Visiox Pharmaceuticals Inc.
The FDA noted several chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) issues, observations from pre-approval manufacturing inspections, and the need for further confirmatory clinical evidence.
In September, Ocuphire Pharma and Viatris’
A month later in October, Orasis Pharmaceuticals had its
A week later, the FDA approved
To end the year on a high note, most recently in December, Glaukos Corp announced the FDA
On top of all the approvals are all the drugs in the pipeline for 2024 and beyond. Including APP13007 (clobetasol propionate ophthalmic nanosuspension, 0.05%) from Formosa/Eyenovia, and NVK002 (low dose atropine 0.01%) from Vyluma Inc. to name a few. It’s safe to say 2024 will have to work extra hard to top the year 2023.
Overall, 2023 emerges as a landmark year in the realm of ophthalmology, marked by an extraordinary 12 FDA approvals. The approval of Apellis' pegcetacoplan injection for geographic atrophy marked a significant milestone, addressing an unmet need for GA patients. Even challenges, as evidenced by complete response letters to Aldeyra Therapeutics, solidify the rigorous standards upheld by regulatory bodies. As the year ends, it has set the stage for an exciting future with numerous drugs in the pipeline including APP13007 (clobetasol propionate ophthalmic nanosuspension, 0.05%) from Formosa/Eyenovia, and NVK002 (low dose atropine 0.01%) from Vyluma Inc.
Anticipation for 2024 and beyond in ophthalmological advancements sets a challenge to the forthcoming years to surpass the remarkable strides achieved in 2023.
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