
Dr. Mali's top 5 predictions in ophthalmology for 2018
Josh Mali, MD, shares his predictions for the 2018 ophthalmic year.
Editor's Note: Welcome to
1). Aflibercept and ranibizumab utilization will continue to soar to new heights in 2018
The success of aflibercept (Eylea, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals) and ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech/Roche) injections will definitely continue in 2018. Regeneron just recently reported fourth-quarter 2017 sales of its flagship product, aflibercept, of $975 million, up 13.6% year over year. I anticipate sales will continue to flourish with aflibercept given its strong efficacy data and excellent long-term safety profile.
In 2017, ranibizumab became the first anti-VEGF therapy approved to treat patients with myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) in the United States, in addition to receiving FDA approval for the treatment of all forms of diabetic retinopathy. The combination of these two new indications, as well as the availability of the ranibizumab 0.5-mg prefilled syringe, makes ranibizumab primed to continue its growth momentum in 2018. Overall, as the prevalence of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vein occlusion, and diabetic macular edema continues to climb worldwide, these will be the two heavyweights in the anti-VEGF market in 2018.
2). The ForeseeHome device will be the new standard of care in AMD monitoring
Described in one of my previous articles as one of the
3). Bromenfac will take a significant leading share of the topical NSAID market
Bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.075% (BromSite, Sun Ophthalmics) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indicated for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and prevention of ocular pain in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Bromfenac is the active molecule that is designed for improved corneal penetration given the bromine component which allows for enhanced lipophilicity and ocular tissue penetration. However, the key feature of this medication is the delivery system (DuraSite) that allows the delivery vehicle to be more viscous and mucoadhesive—thus increasing retention time on the ocular surface and allowing for a higher intraocular concentration of bromfenac.
4). Voretigene neparvovec-rzyl will be a successful pioneer for gene therapies
Voretigene neparvovec-rzyl (â€Åvoretigene,â€Â Luxturna, Spark Therapeutics) is the
However, I believe voretigene is more than ready for the battle and it will be very successful in pioneering this new frontier. The company has already put into motion an organized structural model to address these pivotal issues and they have the skills to deliver this exciting new treatment to patients across our country. They will be making history and writing the blueprint for which the entire class of gene therapies will utilize in the future.
5). Healthcare law reform will start to take shape
While complete healthcare reform has taken a backseat to other legislative priorities, I still strongly believe comprehensive healthcare reform will make significant progress in 2018. While it remains to be seen if complete repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or adjustment to existing healthcare law will be accomplished and signed into law this year, President Trump and Congress will be working diligently on a solution for healthcare reform.
In addition, the private sector may also be able to provide some assistance in developing healthcare solutions.
For example, it was
Additionally, former CMS administrator
Ultimately, it will take the efforts of all of us as Americans with different backgrounds and skills to solve this issue. I also have some ideas on how to develop our healthcare policy that will be satisfactory to all sides-patients, physicians, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, and our government. So, if President Trump, any of our politicians from Congress, or members of these private sector initiatives are reading this article, feel free to call me. That being said, we must have stabilization of the United States healthcare system in order to allow all of us as physicians/ophthalmologists to continue to provide the best healthcare delivery for our patients.
2018 will definitely be a very exciting year for both ophthalmology and healthcare as a whole. As I have
Dr. Mali
Joshua Mali, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist and award-winning vitreoretinal surgeon at The Eye Associates, a private multispecialty ophthalmology practice in Sarasota, Florida. He can be reached at 941-923-2020. Dr. Mali̢۪s relevant financial disclosures include the following: Regeneron (consultant, speaker, stock shareholder, research funding), Genentech/Roche (consultant, speaker), Notal Vision Inc. (consultant, speaker), and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc. (consultant, speaker).
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