Eylea HD (aflibercept)
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Revamping best-selling drugs to combat patent cliff has limits
Yahoo Finance· 2025-12-29 11:00
Core Insights - The pharmaceutical industry is facing a significant challenge as a wave of patent expiries approaches, threatening the exclusivity of major blockbuster drugs and potentially leading to substantial revenue losses for companies [1][2] Group 1: Patent Expiry and Market Impact - The impending patent cliff is expected to cause a dramatic dip in profits for pharmaceutical companies, particularly those reliant on best-selling drugs [1] - Companies are increasingly licensing new assets, particularly from China, to bolster their pipelines in response to the challenges posed by patent expiries [2] Group 2: Drug Reformulation Strategies - Pharmaceutical companies are revamping their best-selling medicines to enhance aspects such as durability and administration routes, aiming to extend market potential against biosimilar competition [3] - This trend is notably observed in oncology and ophthalmology sectors, with drugs like Keytruda and Eylea HD receiving significant upgrades [4] Group 3: Benefits of New Formulations - The transition from intravenous (IV) to subcutaneous (SC) formulations is seen as a major shift in oncology, improving patient access and treatment efficiency [5][6] - New formulations are expected to reduce treatment delivery times from hours to minutes, leading to significant cost savings for healthcare providers [8]
REGN Gets EC Nod for Libtayo Label Expansion, FDA Clears Monthly Eylea HD
ZACKS· 2025-11-20 15:21
Core Insights - The European Commission has approved the label expansion of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo for use as an adjuvant treatment for adult patients with high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) after surgery and radiation [1][9]. Group 1: Libtayo Approval and Efficacy - The recent approval expands Libtayo's indications to include patients at high risk of disease recurrence, complementing its existing approvals for advanced CSCC, advanced basal cell carcinoma, advanced non-small cell lung cancer, and recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer [2][9]. - The approval is based on data from the global late-stage C-POST study, which demonstrated a 68% reduction in the risk of disease recurrence or death when Libtayo was compared to placebo [3][5]. - CSCC is one of the fastest-growing forms of skin cancer, and the approval highlights the need for earlier intervention in patients who are at significant risk of recurrence despite effective management through surgery or radiation [4][5]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Position - Libtayo has shown strong sales performance, totaling $1.03 billion in the first nine months of 2025, reflecting a 21% year-over-year increase [5]. - Regeneron is also evaluating Libtayo for use as a monotherapy and in combination with other therapies for various solid tumors and blood cancers [6]. Group 3: Eylea Developments - The FDA has approved Eylea HD for the treatment of macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, allowing for dosing up to every eight weeks after an initial monthly period [7][9]. - Eylea remains a significant contributor to Regeneron's revenue, although it faces competition from Roche's Vabysmo, which has impacted Eylea's sales [10][11]. - Eylea HD sales in the U.S. increased by 10% in Q3 2025 due to higher demand, and further label expansions are expected to boost sales [10]. Group 4: Portfolio Diversification and New Approvals - Regeneron is actively working to diversify its portfolio in response to declining Eylea sales, with a year-to-date stock performance of -1.4% compared to the industry's growth of 16.5% [12]. - Recent FDA approvals for linvoseltamab-gcpt and Ordspono have strengthened Regeneron's oncology franchise, targeting relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and certain types of lymphoma, respectively [14][15].