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Review
. 2025 Jan 16;10(1):e001967.
doi: 10.1136/bmjophth-2024-001967.

Switching to faricimab from the current anti-VEGF therapy: evidence-based expert recommendations

David T Wong  1 , Shaheer Aboobaker  2 , David Maberley  3 , Sanjay Sharma  4 , Pradeepa Yoganathan  5
Affiliations
Review

Switching to faricimab from the current anti-VEGF therapy: evidence-based expert recommendations

David T Wong et al. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Dual inhibition of the angiopoietin (Ang)/Tie and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signalling pathways in patients with retinal diseases, such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular oedema (DME), may induce greater vascular stability and contribute to increased treatment efficacy and durability compared with treatments that only target the VEGF pathway. Faricimab, a bispecific intravitreal agent that inhibits both VEGF and Ang-2, is the first injectable ophthalmic drug to achieve treatment intervals of up to 16 weeks in Phase 3 studies for nAMD and DME while exhibiting improvements in visual acuity and retinal thickness. Data from real-world studies have supported the safety, visual and anatomic benefits and durability of faricimab, even in patients who were previously treated with other intravitreal agents. These evidence-based expert recommendations from a panel of retina specialists consolidate current evidence with clinical experience for the optimal use of faricimab in patients with nAMD or DME, with a focus on switching from an anti-VEGF agent to faricimab.

Keywords: Imaging; Macula; Macular Degeneration; Neovascularisation; Pharmacology; Treatment Medical.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: DTW has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Alcon, Apellis, Astellas, Bausch Health, Bayer, Biogen, Hoffmann-La Roche, Novartis, Regeneron, Ripple Therapeutics and Zeiss and has received grants/research support from Bayer, Hoffmann-La Roche and Novartis. SA has been a consultant for Hoffmann-La Roche, Bayer, Novartis and Apobiologix and a speaker for Hoffmann-La Roche. DM has been an advisor for Alcon, Apellis, Bayer, Hoffmann-La Roche, Novartis, Novo Nordisk and Preceyes and has received research support from Alcon, Apellis, Bayer, Ionis, Janssen, Opthea, RegenXBio, Preceyes and Hoffmann-La Roche. SS has been a consultant to Novartis, Bayer, Biogen and Hoffman-La Roche and has received research funding from Novartis and Bayer. DY has received honoraria from Hoffmann-La Roche, Bayer, Novartis and Apellis and has received research grants from Hoffmann-La Roche and Alimera Sciences.

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