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Discover experts’ perspectives on biosimilars and CIMERLI®

Expert Exchange video library

Watch leaders in retina discuss a range of relevant clinical and industry topics related to biosimilars.

Biosimilars 101: Defining key terms and exploring the FDA-approval pathway

Peter Kaiser, MD (Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine) and Dilsher Dhoot, MD (California Retina Consultants)

Join the experts as they define key terms, discuss the implications of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA), and the benefits of biosimilars.

Discover the Promise of Biosimilars

CIMERLI® and Interchangeability

Peter Kaiser, MD (Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine) and Dilsher Dhoot, MD (California Retina Consultants)

Watch as Dr. Kaiser and Dr. Dhoot review the concept of interchangeability and the factors the FDA considered when granting the designation for CIMERLI®, the only FDA-approved biosimilar interchangeable with Lucentis® (ranibizumab injection) for all indications.1,2

Explore Interchangeability

The COLUMBUS-AMD Study: Supporting clinical equivalence

Peter Kaiser, MD (Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine) and Dilsher Dhoot, MD (California Retina Consultants)

See Dr. Kaiser and Dr. Dhoot discuss the COLUMBUS-AMD Study and its objectives, outcomes, and role in successfully establishing clinical equivalence between CIMERLI® and Lucentis® in neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients.3,4

View Efficacy and Safety

CIMERLI® was proven clinically equivalent to Lucentis® in terms of efficacy and safety3

See head-to-head data

CIMERLI® demonstrated a comparable safety profile to Lucentis®3

Review clinical safety

Biosimilars can expand patient access to important cost-effective therapies5

Discover the Promise of Biosimilars

Important Safety Information

Important Safety Information

CONTRAINDICATIONS: CIMERLI® (ranibizumab-eqrn) is contraindicated in patients with ocular or periocular infections or known hypersensitivity to ranibizumab products or any of the excipients in CIMERLI®. Hypersensitivity reactions may manifest as severe intraocular inflammation.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Endophthalmitis and Retinal Detachments: Intravitreal injections, including those with ranibizumab products, have been associated with endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, and iatrogenic traumatic cataract. Proper aseptic injection technique should always be utilized when administering CIMERLI®. In addition, patients should be monitored following the injection to permit early treatment, should an infection occur
  • Increases in Intraocular Pressure: Increases in intraocular pressure have been noted both pre-injection and post-injection (at 60 minutes) while being treated with ranibizumab products. Monitor intraocular pressure prior to and following intravitreal injection with CIMERLI® and manage appropriately
  • Thromboembolic Events: Although there was a low rate of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) observed in the ranibizumab clinical trials, there is a potential risk of ATEs following intravitreal use of VEGF inhibitors. ATEs are defined as nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or vascular death (including deaths of unknown cause)

Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD)

  • The ATE rate in the three controlled neovascular AMD studies (AMD-1, AMD-2, AMD-3) during the first year was 1.9% (17 of 874) in the combined group of patients treated with 0.3 mg or 0.5 mg ranibizumab compared with 1.1% (5 of 441) in patients from the control arms. In the second year of Studies AMD-1 and AMD-2, the ATE rate was 2.6% (19 of 721) in the combined group of ranibizumab-treated patients compared with 2.9% (10 of 344) in patients from the control arms. In Study AMD-4, the ATE rates observed in the 0.5 mg arms during the first and second year were similar to rates observed in Studies AMD-1, AMD-2, and AMD-3
  • In a pooled analysis of 2-year controlled studies (AMD-1, AMD-2, and a study of ranibizumab used adjunctively with verteporfin photodynamic therapy), the stroke rate (including both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke) was 2.7% (13 of 484) in patients treated with 0.5 mg ranibizumab compared to 1.1% (5 of 435) in patients in the control arms (odds ratio 2.2 [95% confidence interval (0.8-7.1)])

Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)

  • The ATE rate in the two controlled RVO studies during the first 6 months was 0.8% in both the ranibizumab and control arms of the studies (4 of 525 in the combined group of patients treated with 0.3 mg or 0.5 mg ranibizumab and 2 of 260 in the control arms). The stroke rate was 0.2% (1 of 525) in the combined group of ranibizumab-treated patients compared to 0.4% (1 of 260) in the control arms

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)

  • In a pooled analysis of Studies D-1 and D-2, the ATE rate at 2 years was 7.2% (18 of 250) with 0.5 mg ranibizumab, 5.6% (14 of 250) with 0.3 mg ranibizumab, and 5.2% (13 of 250) with control. The stroke rate at 2 years was 3.2% (8 of 250) with 0.5 mg ranibizumab, 1.2% (3 of 250) with 0.3 mg ranibizumab, and 1.6% (4 of 250) with control. At 3 years, the ATE rate was 10.4% (26 of 249) with 0.5 mg ranibizumab and 10.8% (27 of 250) with 0.3 mg ranibizumab; the stroke rate was 4.8% (12 of 249) with 0.5 mg ranibizumab and 2.0% (5 of 250) with 0.3 mg ranibizumab
  • Fatal events occurred more frequently in patients with DME and DR at baseline: A pooled analysis of Studies D-1 and D-2 showed that fatalities in the first 2 years occurred in 4.4% (11 of 250) of patients treated with 0.5 mg ranibizumab, in 2.8% (7 of 250) of patients treated with 0.3 mg ranibizumab, and in 1.2% (3 of 250) of control patients. Over 3 years, fatalities occurred in 6.4% (16 of 249) of patients treated with 0.5 mg ranibizumab and in 4.4% (11 of 250) of patients treated with 0.3 mg ranibizumab. Although the rate of fatal events was low and included causes of death typical of patients with advanced diabetic complications, a potential relationship between these events and intravitreal use of VEGF inhibitors cannot be excluded
  • Retinal vasculitis with or without occlusion, typically in the presence of preexisting intraocular inflammation or post-treatment with other intravitreal agents, have been reported with the use of ranibizumab products. Discontinue treatment with CIMERLI® in patients who develop these events. Patients should be instructed to report any change in vision without delay

ADVERSE REACTIONS

  • Serious adverse reactions related to the injection procedure that occurred in <0.1% of intravitreal injections, including endophthalmitis, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and iatrogenic traumatic cataract
  • The most frequently reported ocular adverse reactions in ranibizumab-treated patients compared with the control group were conjunctival hemorrhage, eye pain, vitreous floaters, and increased intraocular pressure. The most common non-ocular adverse reactions were nasopharyngitis, anemia, nausea, and cough
  • As with all therapeutic proteins, there is the potential for an immune response in patients treated with ranibizumab products. The clinical significance of immunoreactivity to ranibizumab products is unclear at this time

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reaction has been identified during post-approval use of ranibizumab products:

  • Ocular: Tear of retinal pigment epithelium among patients with neovascular AMD

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sandoz, Inc at 1-800-525-8747 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch (opens in a new tab).

Before prescribing, please see CIMERLI® Prescribing Information (opens in a new tab).

Indications

Indications

CIMERLI® is indicated for the treatment of patients with:

  • Neovascular (wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD)
  • Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)
  • Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
  • Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)
  • Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization (mCNV)

References:

  1. Considerations in Demonstrating Interchangeability with a Reference Product: Guidance for Industry. US Food and Drug Administration. https://fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/considerations-demonstrating-interchangeability-reference-product-guidance-industry. Published 2019. Accessed on April 27, 2023.
  2. Purple Book Database of Licensed Biological Products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://purplebooksearch.fda.gov/faqs. Updated 2024. Accessed on June 4, 2024.
  3. Holz FG, Oleksy P, Ricci F, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Biosimilar FYB201 Compared with Ranibizumab in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmology. 2022;129(1):54-63. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.04.03
  4. Data on file. Sandoz; 2023.
  5. The US Generic & Biosimilar Medicines Savings Report. Accessiblemeds.org. https://accessiblemeds.org/sites/default/files/2021-10/AAM-2021-US-Generic-Biosimilar-Medicines-Savings-Report-web.pdf. Published 2021. Accessed on May 3, 2023.

Important Safety Information

Important Safety Information

CONTRAINDICATIONS: CIMERLI® (ranibizumab-eqrn) is contraindicated in patients with ocular or periocular infections or known hypersensitivity to ranibizumab products or any of the excipients in CIMERLI®. Hypersensitivity reactions may manifest as severe intraocular inflammation.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Endophthalmitis and Retinal Detachments: Intravitreal injections, including those with ranibizumab products, have been associated with endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, and iatrogenic traumatic cataract. Proper aseptic injection technique should always be utilized when administering CIMERLI®. In addition, patients should be monitored following the injection to permit early treatment, should an infection occur
  • Increases in Intraocular Pressure: Increases in intraocular pressure have been noted both pre-injection and post-injection (at 60 minutes) while being treated with ranibizumab products. Monitor intraocular pressure prior to and following intravitreal injection with CIMERLI® and manage appropriately
  • Thromboembolic Events: Although there was a low rate of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) observed in the ranibizumab clinical trials, there is a potential risk of ATEs following intravitreal use of VEGF inhibitors. ATEs are defined as nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or vascular death (including deaths of unknown cause)

Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD)

  • The ATE rate in the three controlled neovascular AMD studies (AMD-1, AMD-2, AMD-3) during the first year was 1.9% (17 of 874) in the combined group of patients treated with 0.3 mg or 0.5 mg ranibizumab compared with 1.1% (5 of 441) in patients from the control arms. In the second year of Studies AMD-1 and AMD-2, the ATE rate was 2.6% (19 of 721) in the combined group of ranibizumab-treated patients compared with 2.9% (10 of 344) in patients from the control arms. In Study AMD-4, the ATE rates observed in the 0.5 mg arms during the first and second year were similar to rates observed in Studies AMD-1, AMD-2, and AMD-3
  • In a pooled analysis of 2-year controlled studies (AMD-1, AMD-2, and a study of ranibizumab used adjunctively with verteporfin photodynamic therapy), the stroke rate (including both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke) was 2.7% (13 of 484) in patients treated with 0.5 mg ranibizumab compared to 1.1% (5 of 435) in patients in the control arms (odds ratio 2.2 [95% confidence interval (0.8-7.1)])

Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)

  • The ATE rate in the two controlled RVO studies during the first 6 months was 0.8% in both the ranibizumab and control arms of the studies (4 of 525 in the combined group of patients treated with 0.3 mg or 0.5 mg ranibizumab and 2 of 260 in the control arms). The stroke rate was 0.2% (1 of 525) in the combined group of ranibizumab-treated patients compared to 0.4% (1 of 260) in the control arms

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)

  • In a pooled analysis of Studies D-1 and D-2, the ATE rate at 2 years was 7.2% (18 of 250) with 0.5 mg ranibizumab, 5.6% (14 of 250) with 0.3 mg ranibizumab, and 5.2% (13 of 250) with control. The stroke rate at 2 years was 3.2% (8 of 250) with 0.5 mg ranibizumab, 1.2% (3 of 250) with 0.3 mg ranibizumab, and 1.6% (4 of 250) with control. At 3 years, the ATE rate was 10.4% (26 of 249) with 0.5 mg ranibizumab and 10.8% (27 of 250) with 0.3 mg ranibizumab; the stroke rate was 4.8% (12 of 249) with 0.5 mg ranibizumab and 2.0% (5 of 250) with 0.3 mg ranibizumab
  • Fatal events occurred more frequently in patients with DME and DR at baseline: A pooled analysis of Studies D-1 and D-2 showed that fatalities in the first 2 years occurred in 4.4% (11 of 250) of patients treated with 0.5 mg ranibizumab, in 2.8% (7 of 250) of patients treated with 0.3 mg ranibizumab, and in 1.2% (3 of 250) of control patients. Over 3 years, fatalities occurred in 6.4% (16 of 249) of patients treated with 0.5 mg ranibizumab and in 4.4% (11 of 250) of patients treated with 0.3 mg ranibizumab. Although the rate of fatal events was low and included causes of death typical of patients with advanced diabetic complications, a potential relationship between these events and intravitreal use of VEGF inhibitors cannot be excluded
  • Retinal vasculitis with or without occlusion, typically in the presence of preexisting intraocular inflammation or post-treatment with other intravitreal agents, have been reported with the use of ranibizumab products. Discontinue treatment with CIMERLI® in patients who develop these events. Patients should be instructed to report any change in vision without delay

ADVERSE REACTIONS

  • Serious adverse reactions related to the injection procedure that occurred in <0.1% of intravitreal injections, including endophthalmitis, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and iatrogenic traumatic cataract
  • The most frequently reported ocular adverse reactions in ranibizumab-treated patients compared with the control group were conjunctival hemorrhage, eye pain, vitreous floaters, and increased intraocular pressure. The most common non-ocular adverse reactions were nasopharyngitis, anemia, nausea, and cough
  • As with all therapeutic proteins, there is the potential for an immune response in patients treated with ranibizumab products. The clinical significance of immunoreactivity to ranibizumab products is unclear at this time

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reaction has been identified during post-approval use of ranibizumab products:

  • Ocular: Tear of retinal pigment epithelium among patients with neovascular AMD

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sandoz, Inc at 1-800-525-8747 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch (opens in a new tab).

Before prescribing, please see CIMERLI® Prescribing Information (opens in a new tab).

Indications

Indications

CIMERLI® is indicated for the treatment of patients with:

  • Neovascular (wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD)
  • Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)
  • Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
  • Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)
  • Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization (mCNV)

Important Safety Information

CONTRAINDICATIONS: CIMERLI® (ranibizumab-eqrn) is contraindicated in patients with ocular or periocular infections or known hypersensitivity to ranibizumab products or any of the excipients in CIMERLI®. Hypersensitivity reactions may manifest as severe intraocular inflammation.

Important Safety Information

Important Safety Information

CONTRAINDICATIONS: CIMERLI® (ranibizumab-eqrn) is contraindicated in patients with ocular or periocular infections or known hypersensitivity to ranibizumab products or any of the excipients in CIMERLI®. Hypersensitivity reactions may manifest as severe intraocular inflammation.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Endophthalmitis and Retinal Detachments: Intravitreal injections, including those with ranibizumab products, have been associated with endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, and iatrogenic traumatic cataract. Proper aseptic injection technique should always be utilized when administering CIMERLI®. In addition, patients should be monitored following the injection to permit early treatment, should an infection occur
  • Increases in Intraocular Pressure: Increases in intraocular pressure have been noted both pre-injection and post-injection (at 60 minutes) while being treated with ranibizumab products. Monitor intraocular pressure prior to and following intravitreal injection with CIMERLI® and manage appropriately
  • Thromboembolic Events: Although there was a low rate of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) observed in the ranibizumab clinical trials, there is a potential risk of ATEs following intravitreal use of VEGF inhibitors. ATEs are defined as nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or vascular death (including deaths of unknown cause)

Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD)

  • The ATE rate in the three controlled neovascular AMD studies (AMD-1, AMD-2, AMD-3) during the first year was 1.9% (17 of 874) in the combined group of patients treated with 0.3 mg or 0.5 mg ranibizumab compared with 1.1% (5 of 441) in patients from the control arms. In the second year of Studies AMD-1 and AMD-2, the ATE rate was 2.6% (19 of 721) in the combined group of ranibizumab-treated patients compared with 2.9% (10 of 344) in patients from the control arms. In Study AMD-4, the ATE rates observed in the 0.5 mg arms during the first and second year were similar to rates observed in Studies AMD-1, AMD-2, and AMD-3
  • In a pooled analysis of 2-year controlled studies (AMD-1, AMD-2, and a study of ranibizumab used adjunctively with verteporfin photodynamic therapy), the stroke rate (including both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke) was 2.7% (13 of 484) in patients treated with 0.5 mg ranibizumab compared to 1.1% (5 of 435) in patients in the control arms (odds ratio 2.2 [95% confidence interval (0.8-7.1)])

Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)

  • The ATE rate in the two controlled RVO studies during the first 6 months was 0.8% in both the ranibizumab and control arms of the studies (4 of 525 in the combined group of patients treated with 0.3 mg or 0.5 mg ranibizumab and 2 of 260 in the control arms). The stroke rate was 0.2% (1 of 525) in the combined group of ranibizumab-treated patients compared to 0.4% (1 of 260) in the control arms

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)

  • In a pooled analysis of Studies D-1 and D-2, the ATE rate at 2 years was 7.2% (18 of 250) with 0.5 mg ranibizumab, 5.6% (14 of 250) with 0.3 mg ranibizumab, and 5.2% (13 of 250) with control. The stroke rate at 2 years was 3.2% (8 of 250) with 0.5 mg ranibizumab, 1.2% (3 of 250) with 0.3 mg ranibizumab, and 1.6% (4 of 250) with control. At 3 years, the ATE rate was 10.4% (26 of 249) with 0.5 mg ranibizumab and 10.8% (27 of 250) with 0.3 mg ranibizumab; the stroke rate was 4.8% (12 of 249) with 0.5 mg ranibizumab and 2.0% (5 of 250) with 0.3 mg ranibizumab
  • Fatal events occurred more frequently in patients with DME and DR at baseline: A pooled analysis of Studies D-1 and D-2 showed that fatalities in the first 2 years occurred in 4.4% (11 of 250) of patients treated with 0.5 mg ranibizumab, in 2.8% (7 of 250) of patients treated with 0.3 mg ranibizumab, and in 1.2% (3 of 250) of control patients. Over 3 years, fatalities occurred in 6.4% (16 of 249) of patients treated with 0.5 mg ranibizumab and in 4.4% (11 of 250) of patients treated with 0.3 mg ranibizumab. Although the rate of fatal events was low and included causes of death typical of patients with advanced diabetic complications, a potential relationship between these events and intravitreal use of VEGF inhibitors cannot be excluded
  • Retinal vasculitis with or without occlusion, typically in the presence of preexisting intraocular inflammation or post-treatment with other intravitreal agents, have been reported with the use of ranibizumab products. Discontinue treatment with CIMERLI® in patients who develop these events. Patients should be instructed to report any change in vision without delay

ADVERSE REACTIONS

  • Serious adverse reactions related to the injection procedure that occurred in <0.1% of intravitreal injections, including endophthalmitis, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and iatrogenic traumatic cataract
  • The most frequently reported ocular adverse reactions in ranibizumab-treated patients compared with the control group were conjunctival hemorrhage, eye pain, vitreous floaters, and increased intraocular pressure. The most common non-ocular adverse reactions were nasopharyngitis, anemia, nausea, and cough
  • As with all therapeutic proteins, there is the potential for an immune response in patients treated with ranibizumab products. The clinical significance of immunoreactivity to ranibizumab products is unclear at this time

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reaction has been identified during post-approval use of ranibizumab products:

  • Ocular: Tear of retinal pigment epithelium among patients with neovascular AMD

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sandoz, Inc at 1-800-525-8747 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch (opens in a new tab).

Before prescribing, please see CIMERLI® Prescribing Information (opens in a new tab).

Indications

CIMERLI™ (ranibizumab-eqrn) is interchangeable* to Lucentis® (ranibizumab)

CIMERLI™ (ranibizumab-eqrn), a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor, is indicated for the treatment of patients with:

Indications

Indications

Indications

CIMERLI® is indicated for the treatment of patients with:

  • Neovascular (wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD)
  • Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)
  • Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
  • Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)
  • Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization (mCNV)

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