EU approval for Lucentis (Novartis) to treat Choroidal Neovascularization

The European Commission has granted Novartis a new indication for Lucentis (ranibizumab) to treat patients with visual impairment due to Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathologic myopia (myopic CNV). This makes Lucentis, the first anti-VEGF therapy licensed for four indications in the European Union. Pathologic myopia often affects working-age adults and is a major cause of vision loss worldwide, with 1-3% of the general population. CNV is the most common vision-threatening complication of high myopia. 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. The resulting visual loss from myopic CNV which usually affects people younger than 50 years old has a profound effect on productivity, financial status, career expectations, and quality of life in working-age individuals.