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FDA Approves Ahzantive

FDA Approves Ahzantive (aflibercept-mrbb), a Biosimilar to Eylea

Planegg-Martinsried, Germany July 1, 2024 – Formycon AG (FSE: FYB, “Formycon”) and its licensing partner Klinge Biopharma GmbH (“Klinge”) jointly announce that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved FYB203/Ahzantive® (aflibercept-mrbb), a biosimilar to Eylea®, on June 28, 2024.

Dr. Stefan Glombitza, CEO of Formycon AG, commented: “The FDA approval of FYB203/Ahzantive® is another key milestone on our way to becoming the leading pure-play biosimilar developer. It highlights the expertise and experience of our team. With the Eylea® biosimilar FYB203/Ahzantive® and our already approved Lucentis®3) biosimilar FYB201, we have achieved an outstanding position in ophthalmic biosimilar therapies. We are thus improving healthcare for patients with retinal diseases by offering effective, safe and, above all, affordable treatment options.”

FYB203/Ahzantive® obtained FDA approval for the treatment of patients with Age-Related Neovascular (wet) Macular Degeneration (nAMD) and other serious retinal diseases such as Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and Macular Edema following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO). The active ingredient inhibits the vascular endothelial growth factor (“VEGF”), which is responsible for the excessive formation of blood vessels in the retina. In 2023, Eylea® reached global sales of around US$ 9 billion4), confirming its status as the currently best-selling drug in the field of anti-VEGF therapies.

The FDA approval for FYB203/Ahzantive® is based on a thorough evaluation of our comprehensive data package including analytical, pre-clinical, clinical and manufacturing data. FYB203/Ahzantive® demonstrated comparable efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity to the reference drug Eylea® in patients with Age-Related Neovascular (wet) Macular Degeneration (nAMD).

In addition, a marketing authorization application for FYB203 was submitted to the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) at the end of 2023. A decision by EMA is expected by early 2025 at the latest.


1) Ahzantive® is a registered trademark of Klinge Biopharma GmbH
2) Eylea® is a registered trademark of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
3) Lucentis® is a registered trademark of Genentech Inc.
4) Source: https://investor.regeneron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/regeneron-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2023-financial/

About Formycon:
Formycon AG (FSE: FYB) is a leading, independent developer of high-quality biosimilars, follow-on products of biopharmaceutical medicines. The company focuses on therapies in ophthalmology, immunology, immuno-oncology and other key disease areas, covering almost the entire value chain from technical development through clinical trials to approval by the regulatory authorities. For commercialization of its biosimilars, Formycon relies on strong, well-trusted and long-term partnerships worldwide. With FYB201/Ranibizumab, Formycon already has a biosimilar on the market in Europe and the USA. Another five biosimilar candidates are currently in development. With its biosimilars, Formycon is making an important contribution to providing as many patients as possible with access to highly effective and affordable medicines. Formycon AG is headquartered in Munich and is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange: FYB / ISIN: DE000A1EWVY8 / WKN: A1EWVY. Further information can be found at: https://www.formycon.com/

About Biosimilars:
Since their introduction in the 1980s, biopharmaceutical drugs have revolutionized the treatment of serious and chronic diseases. By 2032, many of these drugs will lose their patent protection – including 45 blockbusters with an estimated total annual global turnover of more than 200 billion US dollars. Biosimilars are successor products to biopharmaceutical drugs for which market exclusivity has expired. They are approved in highly regulated markets such as the EU, the USA, Canada, Japan and Australia in accordance with strict regulatory procedures. Biosimilars create competition and thus give more patients access to biopharmaceutical therapies. At the same time, they reduce costs for healthcare providers. Global sales of biosimilars currently amount to around 21 billion US dollars. Analysts assume that sales could rise to over 74 billion US dollars by 2030.

Disclaimer:
This press release may contain forward-looking statements and information which are based on Formycon’s current expectations and certain assumptions. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, performance of the company, development of the products and the estimates given here. Such known and unknown risks and uncertainties comprise, among others, the research and development, the regulatory approval process, the timing of the actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities, clinical results, changes in laws and regulations, product quality, patient safety, patent litigation, contractual risks and dependencies from third parties. With respect to pipeline products, Formycon AG does not provide any representation, warranties or any other guarantees that the products will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially exploitable and/or successful. Formycon AG assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements or to correct them in case of developments which differ from those anticipated. This document neither constitutes an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of Formycon AG. No public offering of securities of Formycon AG will be made nor is a public offering intended. This document and the information contained therein may not be distributed in or into the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Japan or any other jurisdictions, in which such offer or such solicitation would be prohibited. This document does not constitute an offer for the sale of securities in the United States.

Source: Formycon AG

Posted: July 2024

Ahzantive (aflibercept-mrbb) FDA Approval History

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