Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in which the part of the eye responsible for central vision deteriorates, is a leading cause of low vision among Americans. Almost 20 million people are in the early stage of AMD, while 1.5 million people are in the late stage. “Not only is prevalence high, but the cost of treatment is also very high,” writes Euin Cheong, O.D. in Optometry Times. What’s encouraging, she explains, is that advances in drug creation could lower treatment costs for patients.*

A booming treatment market

Cheong says that treatment options for wet AMD, an advanced form of the disease, all come with hefty price tags. EYLEA® (aflibercept) and LUCENTIS® (ranibizumab), for example, cost roughly $1,800 per injection. Another treatment, VABYSMO® (faricimab-svoa), runs $2,190 per dose, though dosing frequency gradually decreases.

With more people diagnosed with AMD, Cheong says, the treatment market for the disease is “lucrative and vast.” The worldwide market is expected to grow rapidly over the next few years, reaching about $18 billion by 2030. 

Along with people living longer, the increasing amount of research and development into new drugs contribute to their high costs. This is why the development of biosimilars could be a huge benefit to patients across the globe.

What are biosimilars?

A biosimilar is a drug that’s very similar in structure and function to the original biologic, but not identical to it. Biosimilars act in the same way as the original versions, with no real differences, and pharmaceutical companies must prove to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that they’re equal to the biologic in safety and effectiveness. 

Drug makers are rushing to get into the biosimilars market since they’re easier and cheaper to produce for greater profit. Whereas biologics can average 10-15 years and over $2 billion to produce, biosimilars can be made in 8-10 years for about $100-$200 million. One reason for this is that biosimilars are not required to undergo the extensive clinical trials that biologics do.

Generally speaking, biosimilars reduce medication costs by 10%-50% per unit versus the original biologic.

Are biosimilars the same as generic drugs?

Biosimilars are not the same as generic drugs.

• Generics are identical to the original branded medication in their chemical makeup, and have a far less complicated development process than biosimilars.
• Biosimilars must be reverse-engineered and aren’t identical to the original biologic, even though there’s no significant difference in safety and effectiveness. 

The race for biosimilars is on as major pharmaceutical companies are set to lose their patents on common eye medications. For example, Lucentis and Eylea are scheduled to lose their U.S. and European protection by 2025. 

A 2020 study found 25 biosimilars for eye medications currently under development, including four (4) for Eylea and six (6) for Lucentis. 

Interest among eye doctors

Other experts note that biosimilars’ success depends on their acceptance by both patients and healthcare providers. A small recent poll by Optometry Times received responses from 10 optometrists: 

• Four (4) said they were “very excited to begin embracing biosimilars.”
• Four (4) more said they were “feeling comfortable exploring biosimilar options, though cautiously.”
• Two (2) said that “with the knowledge of biosimilars I have, I am not comfortable including this in my treatment plans.”

Brighter future for patients

Cheong encourages providers to stay abreast of new treatments and research and says it’s important for optometrists to give early-stage patients greater assurance that they’ll have more affordable, and perhaps even more effective, treatment options down the road.

“With great anticipation,” she adds, “the future holds a place for biosimilars in the realm of many more ocular diseases.”

*Cheong, E. (2023, February 13). Introduction to biosimilars for AMD. Optometry Times. https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/introduction-to-biosimilars-for-amd