Avastin, Lucentis equal in five-year AMD study

In an Avastin bevacizumab or Lucentis ranibizumab . The researchers highlighted the "remarkable" maintenance of visual acuity relative to outcomes prior to the development of anti-VEGF therapies such as Avastin and Lucentis.

Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY) markets Avastin and has U.S. rights to Lucentis, while Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) holds ex-U.S. rights. Avastin is not approved to treat AMD, but is used off label in the indication as a cheaper alternative to Lucentis. In a statement Tuesday, NIH noted that FDA "has investigated many serious events, including infections and blindness, associated with Avastin that was contaminated by pharmacies while being repackaged" into syringes to treat AMD. ...