Faricimab Exhibits Favorable One-Year Outcomes in Treatment-Naive Wet AMD: Study
Switzerland: Researchers have discovered in a recent Swiss Retina Research Network study that faricimab delivers sustained visual and anatomical benefits in patients with treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).
At 10 months, 39.2% of treated eyes achieved extended dosing intervals of 12 weeks or longer, indicating durable disease control. Additionally, more than half of patients with retinal fluid at baseline experienced complete fluid resolution. As highlighted by Jonathan Chen, these findings demonstrate favorable one-year outcomes with faricimab in treatment-naive neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
The study, published in Ophthalmology and Therapy by Anne Tillmann of Augenarzt Praxisgemeinschaft Gutblick AG, Pfäffikon, Switzerland, and colleagues, evaluated the real-world effectiveness and safety of faricimab in routine clinical practice. Unlike randomized controlled trials conducted under highly controlled conditions, this investigation reflects outcomes seen in everyday ophthalmology settings.
The retrospective, multicenter analysis included 130 eyes from 118 patients treated across 11 centers between May 2022 and October 2024. All patients were newly diagnosed with nAMD and received faricimab using a treat-and-extend approach. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records and followed for 12 months.
The following were the key findings of the study:
- At 12 months, patients showed significant improvement in visual acuity, with mean BCVA increasing from 64.6 to 69.2 ETDRS letters.
- Central retinal thickness reduced markedly from 386.3 µm at baseline to 246.6 µm after one year.
- Early treatment response was observed, with 34.6% of eyes achieving complete retinal fluid resolution after the first injection.
- By one year, 55.6% of eyes had a complete absence of retinal fluid (dry macula).
- The mean injection interval was extended to 10.5 weeks by the end of follow-up.
- 26.2% of eyes maintained dosing intervals of 8–11 weeks.
- 39.2% of eyes achieved extended intervals of 12 weeks or longer.
- Intraocular inflammation occurred in 0.77% of eyes (one case of anterior uveitis).
- No serious adverse events were reported.
Faricimab, a bispecific antibody targeting both VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2, was designed to enhance vascular stability and prolong therapeutic effect. The authors conclude that in a real-world, multicenter setting, faricimab provides significant functional and structural improvements with a favorable safety profile. These data support its use as a first-line option in treatment-naïve nAMD, while highlighting the importance of continued long-term and prospective research to further refine treatment strategies.
Reference:
Tillmann, A., Stillenmunkes, R., Garweg, J.G. et al. One-Year Outcomes of Faricimab in Treatment-Naïve Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Swiss Retina Research Network Report. Ophthalmol Ther 14, 3079–3091 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-025-01252-6
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