FDA approves drug for dry AMD in “milestone moment”

The Macular Society has described the approval of a drug for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a “milestone moment.”

Pegcetacoplan, also known as Syfovre, has been approved for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to AMD. It is the first drug to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of dry AMD.

Syfovre, which is manufactured by Apellis Pharmaceuticals, was found in clinical trials to reduce the rate of geographic atrophy lesion growth in patients with dry AMD. The drug is designed to be injected in the eye every 25 to 60 days.

Macular Society research manager, Geraldine Hoad, shared that Syfovre will be available in the US from the beginning of March.

“This development in the US is a huge milestone for patients living with dry AMD, who up to this point have not had any treatment available for their condition,” she said.

While welcoming the announcement, Hoad highlighted that it remains to be seen how much benefit the treatment will provide to patients.

“We hope to have a clearer picture over the coming months and more hope to offer patients diagnosed with this devastating condition,” she said.