CHMP recommends Lucentis as treatment of visual impairment due to Choroidal Neovascularization

Novartis has received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for Lucentis (ranibizumab) to treat patients with visual impairment due to choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathologic myopia (myopic CNV).

CNV is the most common vision-threatening complication of high myopia. Myopic CNV usually affects patients younger than 50 years old so any associated vision loss can have not only a significant impact on their quality of life but also on their productivity and to society. In patients with untreated myopic CNV the long-term prognosis is poor with approximately 90% of affected patients developing severe vision loss after five years.