Roche predicts decline in 2012 Lucentis sales

Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY) said it expects sales of ophthalmic drug Lucentis ranibizumab in the U.S. to decline in 2012 compared to 2011 as a result of competition from newly launched Eylea aflibercept from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN). Fourth quarter Lucentis sales in the U.S. grew 13% in constant exchange rates to CHF395 million ($420.6 million). For the year, sales of the drug rose 23% to CHF1.5 billion ($1.6 billion). Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) markets Lucentis outside the U.S.

Regeneron launched Eylea last November for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with a dosing schedule of once-monthly for the first three months, followed by once every two months thereafter. In January, Regeneron said it expects $140-$160 million in 2012 sales of the drug. Lucentis, which is dosed once-monthly, is marketed for wet AMD and for macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO). On Wednesday, Roche said FDA accepted for review an sBLA for Lucentis to treat diabetic macular edema (DME). The PDUFA date is in August; the specific date is not disclosed (see BioCentury, Nov. 18, 2011). ...