The patient switch territory is evolving as more agents become available. Spherix’s RealWorld Dynamix report allows for an inside look into real patient data, painting a more colorful picture of the switch patient demographic and highlighting the specific reasoning behind these complex decisions. With the introduction of novel agents such as Genentech’s Vabysmo, Novartis’s Beovu, and Coherus Bioscience’s Cimerli in the treatment landscape, DME patients and ophthalmologists are facing more decisions now than ever before. However, there is little hesitation amongst ophthalmologists when switching a patient to a new DME therapy. Spherix’s data shows many prescribers are still relying on Regeneron’s gold-standard, Eylea.
Chart audit data from 445 eyes switched to a new intravitreal biologic within the past three (3) months, provided by 68 ophthalmologists across the US marks Spherix’s inaugural RealWorld Dynamix: Biologic Switches in Diabetic Macular Edemaservice.
The agent’s reign over the switch demographic in DME, however, may not be immutable. Although Vabysmo received a modest debut in the front-line setting, the bispecific’s potential is accentuated in the switch population surpassing Genentech’s first generation DME therapy, Lucentis, in switch brand share.
Ophthalmologists may take some more convincing when it comes to other newly launched agents. Beovu’s reputation is still reeling from the early safety signals seen in the neovascular age-related macular degeneration launch and is unlikely to ever recover fully. Biosimilars, despite their potential for cost savings to the patient and practice, do not yet have physicians convinced of their safety, efficacy, or overall necessity.
Spherix’s RealWorld Dynamix assesses the missed share for each agent, or how often the agent was considered, but consequently passed over and why. Vabysmo was most frequently considered but cast aside for Eylea when switching DME patients. Increasing ophthalmologists’ personal comfort with newer agents will be an uphill battle for manufacturers, which was the most common consideration when selecting their switch agent.
SOURCE: PR Newswire