Sandoz Launches New Biosimilar Option in Europe
Affordable aflibercept therapy addresses the burden of retinal diseases
The Sandoz group has officially introduced Afqlir, its biosimilar referencing aflibercept, across various European markets. The drug received approval from the European Commission in November 2024.
Afqlir is currently available as a 2 mg vial kit and a pre-filled syringe designed for intravitreal injection. The medication is authorized for the same indications as the reference product, including the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and diabetic macular edema (DME) in adult patients. Clinical data confirms that Afqlir demonstrates equivalent efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics to the reference drug.
Retinal diseases, particularly nAMD, are among the leading global causes of vision loss. Although aflibercept is considered a gold-standard therapy, the high cost of current treatments places a significant burden on healthcare systems.
Sandoz is rolling out Afqlir across Europe, beginning in the United Kingdom, with subsequent launches planned in key markets such as Germany and France, and further expansion expected in 2026. The launch strengthens Sandoz’s position in the anti-VEGF ophthalmology market, which is valued at approximately $15 billion, aligning with the company’s goal of improving access to high-quality, affordable biologics and supporting more sustainable care across the region.
Source: https://ophthalmologybreakingnews.com/sandoz-launches-afqlir-in-europe
