Chugai wins new approval in Japan for Vabysmo

Japanese drugmaker Chugai Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4519) today announced that it obtained regulatory approval from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) for anti-VEGF/anti-Ang-2 bispecific antibody Vabysmo intravitreal injection 120mg/mL (aricimab genetical recombination)], for an additional indication of the treatment of choroidal neovascularization associated with angioid streaks. Vabysmo is the first approved drug in Japan for the treatment of this disease.

“We are very pleased that we can offer Vabysmo as the first approved treatment in Japan for choroidal neovascularization associated with angioid streaks. This disease is known to cause vision impairment and has a poor prognosis. We expect that treatment with Vabysmo will contribute to maintaining and improving vision for patients. We will continue to provide information promptly on the proper use of this medication,” said Dr Osamu Okuda, Chugai’s president and chief executive.

This approval is based on the results from a Japanese Phase III NIHONBASHI study for angioid streaks.