SDZ-AFL: An Aflibercept Biosimilar

SDZ-AFL (SOK583A1; Afqlir^®) is a biosimilar of the reference intravitreal aflibercept, a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor. SDZ-AFL has been approved in the EU for the treatment of the same indications in adults as reference aflibercept: neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion, visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema and visual impairment due to myopic choroidal neovascularisation. SDZ-AFL has similar physicochemical and pharmacodynamic properties to those of reference aflibercept, and pharmacokinetic similarity has been demonstrated in patients with nAMD. SDZ-AFL demonstrated clinical efficacy equivalent to that of reference aflibercept in patients with nAMD and was generally well tolerated in this population. The tolerability, safety and immunogenicity profiles of SDZ-AFL were similar to those of reference aflibercept. The role of reference aflibercept in the management of neovascular retinal diseases is well established, and SDZ-AFL provides an effective biosimilar alternative for patients requiring ophthalmic aflibercept therapy.