Purpose: To compare the visual outcome and fluid features of a proposed biosimilar, CKD-701, versus the reference ranibizumab in eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).
Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of a phase 3 randomized clinical trial assessing the efficacy and safety of CKD-701 and ranibizumab. A total of 73 PCV eyes were assigned randomly to either CKD-701 (36 eyes) or ranibizumab (37 eyes). The mean changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), pigment epithelial detachment (PED) volume, and fluid features were compared.
Results: After three loading injections, the mean change in BCVA (letters) was +7.50 in the CKD-701 group and +6.32 in the ranibizumab group (p = .447). The changes in CRT and PED volume of the CKD-701 group (-107.25 ± 102.66 μm and -0.22 ± 0.46 mm3) were similar to those of the ranibizumab group (-96.78 ± 105.00 μm and -0.23 ± 0.54 mm3) (p = .668 and p = .943, respectively). Proportions of eyes with subretinal, intraretinal and sub-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) fluids after three loading injections were not different between CKD-701 group (33.3%, 13.9% and 42.9%) and ranibizumab group (51.4%, 16.2% and 40.0%) (p = .071, p = 1.000 and p = .808). The visual and anatomical changes were similar between two groups at month 6 and 12 (all, p > .05).
Conclusion: Biosimilar CKD-701 monotherapy resulted in comparable visual and anatomical changes to those achieved with reference ranibizumab in PCV eyes.
Keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; biosimilar CKD-701; polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy; ranibizumab.