Lupin Gets CDSCO Panel nod To study LUBT017 Biosimilar to Eylea

LUBT017 is a proposed biosimilar to Eylea (aflibercept). Aflibercept, as an ophthalmic agent, is used in the treatment of macular edema following Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) and neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Aflibercept is a recombinant fusion protein consisting of portions of human VEGF receptors 1 and 2 extracellular domains fused to the Fc portion of human IgG1 formulated as an iso-osmotic solution for intravitreal administration.

It acts as a decoy receptor for the ligands, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and placental growth factor (PIGF). It prevents these ligands to binding to endothelial receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, to suppress neovascularization and decrease vascular permeability. This ultimately will slow vision loss or the progression of metastatic colorectal cancer.

At the recent SEC meeting for the Ophthalmology held on September 22,2022, the expert panel reviewed the proposed Phase III clinical trial protocol no.LRP/LUBT017/2021/003, version 1.0,of the LUBT017(Proposed Biosimilar to Eylea) presented by drug major Lupin.

After detailed deliberation, the committee recommended for grant of permission to conduct the trial as per the protocol with the following conditions:

1) The firm should enroll up to 150 subjects from the country.

2) The firm should appoint an independent data safety monitoring committee to monitor and assess the safety of the proposed trial.

3) If the subjects develop CNV in the fellow eye then it should be managed as per the standard of care and the cost of the same should be borne by the sponsor.