Genentech says Lucentis met goal in clinical trial

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Genentech Inc. said Thursday its macular degeneration drug Lucentis met its goal in a late stage trial, improving the vision of patients with macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion.

Lucentis is approved to treat neurovascular, or "wet," age-related macular degeneration, one of the most common causes of blindness. Genentech, which is part of Swiss drugmaker Roche, is trying to get the drug approved for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion, a condition in which the macula, or central part of the retina, swells because fluid leaks or builds up.

Patients in the trial had macular edema caused by blockage of the branch veins in the retina. The testing compared injections of Lucentis, once per month for six months, to a placebo. The most serious side effects were inflammation in the eye, and in rare cases, effects related to the injection, such as cataracts. The common side effects were reports that the patient felt something in his or her eye, increased tears, and infections of the nose and throat, and respiratory and urinary tracts.

Genentech pays royalties on Lucentis sales to PDL BioPharma Inc.

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