SYFOVRE™ (pegcetacoplan injection) is a novel drug from Apellis Pharmaceuticals which recently received FDA-approval following clinical trials that appears to showing its ability to slow the progression of retinal damage due to “geographic atrophy” caused by advanced dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Injections of SYFOVRE™ administered monthly or once-every-other-month showed a clinically meaningful reduction in growth of geographic atrophy, and this effect increased over time. The drug works by inhibiting parts of the body’s inflammatory response that contribute to geographic atrophy.

SYFOVRE™ is delivered by injection into the eye, like drugs used to treat other retinal diseases including wet AMD and macular edema due to diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion.

The approval of SYFOVRE™ is a significant step forward for people living with AMD, as this is the first time a drug has been FDA-approved for treating vison loss related to the dry form of AMD. However, while SYFOVRE™ may help slow vision loss in treated patients, it does not stop or reverse the course of the disease. Like the other injectable drugs used in the retinal field, there are risks associated with injection, mainly infection or intraocular inflammation.

VRMNY takes pride in offering our patients the most advanced treatment options for their retina condition. The newly approved SYFOVRE™ drug is another tool in our armamentarium.

Geographic Atrophy

Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).It affects the retina, located at the back of the eye. The disease causes progressive and irreversible destruction of retinal cells, which are responsible for vision. Therefore, people may notice blurry spots in the center of vision, making daily activities difficult especially in low light or dark places.

GA is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. It impacts 5 million people worldwide, including 1 million people in the UnitedStates.

Example of vision loss with Geographic Atrophy

To learn about New York ophthalmology centers or to find out how our retina specialists can help previously untreatable Geographic Atrophy patients, please contact us for an appointment to discuss whether or not Syfovre (pegcetacoplan injection) is right for you.