GENENTECH REPORTS LUCENTIS DATA

Genentech has reported that a Phase IIIb clinical study of a quarterly dosing regimen of the investigational drug Lucentis (ranibizumab) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) met its primary efficacy endpoint by preventing vision loss as measured by mean change in visual acuity from baseline to month 12.

In the study, called PIER, patients are receiving Lucentis (0.3 mg or 0.5 mg respectively) or sham injections once per month for the first three months followed thereafter by doses once every three months for a total of 24 months. Those treated with Lucentis, on average, demonstrated an initial increase in mean visual acuity compared to baseline after three monthly injections.