Genentech Unveils First and Only Susvimo® for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Oedema
Genentech has introduced Susvimo® (ranibizumab injection) 100 mg/mL as the first continuous drug delivery system for adults with diabetic macular oedema (DME), a leading cause of vision loss in people with diabetes, affecting over 29 million individuals globally. Currently, no long-acting treatments are approved for this condition.
Susvimo, a customised formulation of ranibizumab, is designed to provide continuous drug release via the Port Delivery System. Unlike existing treatments that may require monthly eye injections, Susvimo offers a sustained approach, potentially reducing treatment burden while maintaining vision.
The therapy works by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that contributes to abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in the retina, leading to macular swelling and vision impairment. By blocking VEGF, Susvimo helps stabilise vision while minimising the need for frequent intravitreal injections.
Diabetic macular oedema is characterised by fluid leakage from damaged retinal blood vessels, causing swelling in the macula—the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision. If left untreated, the condition can result in severe vision impairment and significantly impact quality of life.
The FDA approval of Susvimo is supported by results from the Phase III Pagoda study, a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial evaluating the impact of Susvimo in adults with DME.
Susvimo was first approved by the FDA in 2021 for the treatment of wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). With this latest approval, it becomes the first and only continuous delivery treatment for DME, offering a novel therapeutic approach for patients managing this condition.
