JUN 03, 2013
Eylea (aflibercept) has received a recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) after a price discount was offered. Previously, NICE rejected the drug as too expensive.
If NICE follows this recommendation in August, as expected, Eylea will be positioned to compete in the U.K. with Novartis' Lucentis (ranibizumab) for the treatment of wet AMD. NICE approved Lucentis after Novartis offered a discounted price. NICE has set similar criteria for patient eligibility for both treatments.
Eylea hit the market in the U.K., Germany, Switzerland, Japan and some other countries during the fourth quarter of last year. NICE's backing could lead other countries that follow its decisions to also adopt Eylea.