Regeneron, Bayer launch trial of aflibercept for CNV

Tarrytown, NY, Berlin, and Singapore-Regeneron and Bayer HealthCare have begun a phase III clinical trial in collaboration with the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) to investigate the efficacy and safety of aflibercept ophthalmic solution (VEGF Trap-Eye) in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) as a result of pathologic myopia. The trial has started in Japan and other Asian countries, including China, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.

Aflibercept previously has met its primary efficacy endpoint in a phase III trial for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

SERI has been appointed as the Asian reading center partner for this study. The Singapore Advanced Imaging Laboratory for Ocular Research (SAILOR) will serve as the first reading center for the aflibercept studies in the region.

“Myopia is a common problem in Singapore and Asia. In particular, myopic CNV, which affects certain groups of people with higher degrees of myopia, may lead to vision loss,” said Wong Tien Yin, MBBS, PhD, MMed, MPH, FRCS, FRANZCO, director of SERI and co-director of SAILOR. “There remains uncertainty regarding the best methods of treatment for myopic CNV, and this new trial will go toward addressing this clinical need.”