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What is the difference between Vabysmo and Eylea?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on July 8, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Vabysmo (faricimab) and Eylea (afibercept) are both eye injections used in the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Eylea is also approved to treat diabetic retinopathy (DR) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

The injections are administered by intravitreal injection (into the gel-like part of the eye) by your retina eye specialist (a trained ophthalmologist). Your doctor will use a medicine to numb your eye before the injection. You will receive this injection in your doctor's office or a specialty clinic.

Vabysmo is a bispecific antibody that targets both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), whereas Eylea is a recombinant fusion protein that targets VEGF and placental growth factor (P1GF).

Eylea was approved by the FDA in 2011, and Vabysmo was initially approved by the FDA in 2022. A higher strength product of afibercept called Eylea HD became available in 2023. In 2024, the FDA approved a Vabysmo 6 mg single-dose, ready-to-use prefilled syringe (PFS). To compare these medications, see the table below.

What eye conditions do Vabysmo and Eylea treat?

Both Vabysmo and Eylea are approved to treat:

  • Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): a long-lasting eye condition where new blood vessels grow under the retina which may cause leaking of blood and fluid into the macula (a part of the retina). The retina is the light-sensitive nerve tissue that covers the back of the eye. This can cause blurred vision or a blind spot in the central vision.
  • Diabetic Macular Edema (DME): a diabetes-related swelling and build-up of fluid in the retina that is caused by leaking blood vessels. This may led to blurry vision, double vision or dark floating spots.
  • Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO): poor blood supply in the retina caused by a blockage in a vein in the retina. The blood vessels become leaky and lead to swelling of the macula, which can lead to vision distortion of loss.

Eylea is also approved to treat:

  • Diabetic Retinopathy (DR): an eye disorder in diabetics that can lead to a buildup of fluid in the retina and cause vision loss or blindness.
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP): an eye condition affecting the retina in premature babies or babies weighing less than 3 pounds at birth. Abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina, and may lead to vision loss or blindness if not treated.

Clinical studies have shown that Vabysmo and Eylea have similar safety profiles and that Vabysmo is non-inferior to Eylea, which means that the clinical benefits it provides are similar to those provided by Eylea.

Common side effects that occur with Vabysmo, Eylea and Eylea HD include: cataracts and conjunctival hemorrhage (bleeding). Other side effects are described in the table below.

Dosing for Vabysmo, Eylea and Eylea HD may vary based on your condition and response. Your retina specialist eye doctor will determine the dosing schedule that is right for you.

How does Vabysmo compare to Eylea?

Select facts - Vabysmo vs Eylea / Eylea HD
Vabysmo Eylea / Eylea HD
Generic name Faricimab-svoa Aflibercept
Company Genentech Regeneron
FDA approval date 2022 2011 (Eylea) / 2023 (Eylea HD)
Drug type / class Bispecific antibody Recombinant fusion protein
Dosage form Intravitreal injection (into the gel-like part of the eye) Intravitreal injection (into the gel-like part of the eye)
Mechanism of action VEGF and angiopoietin-2 inhibitor Inhibits VEGF / placental growth factor (P1GF)
Indications / usage

Vabysmo
Eylea

Eylea HD
Dosing schedule and administration (intravitreal injection)
Vabysmo: For detailed dosing instructions, visit:

Dosage forms available as:

  • 6 mg single-dose vial
  • 6 mg single dose, prefilled syringe
Eylea / Eylea HD: For detailed dosing instructions, visit:

Dosage forms available as:

  • Eylea: 2 mg single-dose vial and 2 mg single-dose prefilled syringe
  • Eylea HD: 8 mg single-dose vial
Side effects / adverse effects

The most common adverse reactions (≥ 5%) reported in patients were:

  • cataracts
  • conjunctival hemorrhage / bleeding

The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) in patients (in AMD studies) were:

Eylea / Eylea HD

  • conjunctival hemorrhage / bleeding
  • eye pain
  • cataract
  • vitreous detachment
  • vitreous (gel-like substance) floaters
  • intraocular pressure increased

Eylea HD

Additional side effects (≥3%) reported in patients using Eylea HD were:

  • ocular discomfort / eye irritation
  • blurred vision
  • corneal epithelium defect (injury to the outer layer of the eye)
  • retinal hemorrhage (bleeding in the back of the eye)
Warnings and precautions
  • Endophthalmitis (eye infection) and retinal detachments (separation of layers of the retina) may occur following intravitreal injections. Any symptoms of endophthalmitis or retinal detachments should be reported promptly to your retinal specialist eye doctor.
  • Increases in intraocular pressure (elevated eye pressure) have been seen within 60 minutes of an intravitreal injection.
  • There is a potential risk of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) - clotting in an artery leading to stroke, heart attack or death - associated with VEGF inhibition.
  • Endophthalmitis (eye infection) and retinal detachments (separation of layers of the retina) may occur following intravitreal injections. Any symptoms of endophthalmitis or retinal detachments should be reported promptly to your retinal specialist eye doctor.
  • Increases in intraocular pressure (elevated eye pressure) have been seen within 60 minutes of an intravitreal injection.
  • There is a potential risk of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) - clotting in an artery leading to stroke, heart attack or death - associated with VEGF inhibition.
  • In infants with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) who receive Eylea, extended periods of ROP monitoring are needed. ROP is not an approved use for Eylea HD.

This is not all the information you need to know about Vabysmo, Eylea or Eylea HD for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

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References

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Does Medicare cover Eylea injections?

Medicare usually covers costs of Eylea or Eylea HD after you meet your yearly Part B deductible. Then you will usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the drug and any medical services. Your costs may vary depending on if you have insurance copays, coinsurance or administration fees. Continue reading

What is the difference between Eylea and Eylea HD?

Eylea HD is a higher dose, longer-acting formulation of Eylea that has been approved to treat Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). Eylea is approved to treat these conditions in addition to Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) and Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). Continue reading

When do the Eylea and Eylea HD patents expire?

Eylea patents are due to run out from 2023 to 2039; however, these should not be taken as definite dates as there are many ways drug companies can extend their patents, for example, by changing the formulation of their product. A new Eylea HD patent, US11103552B2 which relates to high concentration VEGF receptor fusion protein containing formulations, has a patent expiry date of 15 May 2039. Continue reading

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