Vabysmo (faricimab-svoa)
Reviewed by: HU Medical Review Board | Last reviewed: June 2024 | Last updated: June 2024
Vabysmo® (faricimab-svoa) is approved to treat people with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Vabysmo is first given in 4 monthly injections into the eye. Based on outcomes, people will then receive their following Vabysmo injections every 1 to 4 months.1-3
Vabysmo is the first bispecific antibody to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the eye. Unlike other treatments for wet AMD that target only the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway, Vabysmo targets 2 different pathways to treat symptoms of wet AMD.1,2
What is anti-VEGF therapy?
In healthy people, the VEGF protein promotes the growth of new vessels. In people with wet AMD, there is too much VEGF in the eye. This leads to an abnormal growth of weak, leaky vessels that affect vision.4,5
Anti-VEGF therapy delivers substances to the eye that can block and reduce the production of VEGF and its effects. This can slow the progression of wet AMD.1-3
What are the ingredients in Vabysmo?
The active ingredient in Vabysmo is faricimab-svoa.3
How does Vabysmo work?
A doctor injects Vabysmo into the eye near the retina. The injection places Vabysmo into the space in the back of the eye called the vitreous cavity. This is called an intravitreal injection.3,6
Vabysmo is a bispecific antibody. This means it targets 2 different pathways involved in blood vessel growth.1,2,7,8
Vabysmo targets 2 different factors involved in blood vessel growth (angiogenesis). One factor is VEGF-A. This is a growth factor that promotes the growth and spread of blood vessels. The other factor is called angiopoietin-2 (Ang2). By blocking Ang2, Vabysmo makes the blood vessels more stable.1-3,9
By stabilizing blood vessels in the eye, Vabysmo reduces inflammation and slows or stops vision loss.1,9
What are the possible side effects?
The most common side effects of Vabysmo include:3
- Cataracts
- Bursting of small blood vessels just beneath the clear surface of the eye (conjunctival hemorrhage)
These are not all the possible side effects of Vabysmo. Talk to your doctor about what to expect when taking Vabysmo. You also should call your doctor if you have any changes that concern you when taking Vabysmo.
Other things to know
Do not use Vabysmo if you have:3
- An eye infection
- Inflammation of the conjunctiva (the clear membrane on the surface of the eye and the inner eyelid)
- An overreactive immune system
There is not enough data to know if Vabysmo is safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. If you can become pregnant, you should use birth control during treatment and for some time after the last dose of Vabysmo. Talk to your doctor about your options for birth control and breastfeeding while taking Vabysmo.3
As with all therapeutic proteins, there is a risk for an immune response to Vabysmo. During this response, the body's immune system makes anti-drug antibodies that make the drug less effective or ineffective. This is known as immunogenicity.3
Before beginning treatment for macular degeneration, tell your doctor about all your health conditions and any other drugs, vitamins, or supplements you are taking. This includes over-the-counter drugs.
For more information, read the full prescribing information of Vabysmo.