Novartis has made the surprise announcement that its VEGF inhibitor Lucentis (ranibizumab) has been awarded marketing authorisation from the European Commission earlier than expected in the treatment of preterm infants with the rare eye disease retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
The decision, supported by data from the RAINBOW study proving Lucentis is safe an defective in ROP, makes the therapy the first and only pharmacological treatment in the European Union for the condition in this vulnerable group.
