Bayer HealthCare’s Eylea receives new EU approval

Bayer HealthCare has received European Commission approval for its drug Eylea to be used in a new indication.

Based on positive data from two phase III trials, the regulator has ratified the drug for the treatment of visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

More than 66,000 people in major European countries are estimated to suffer from CRVO, with many of those affected by the condition going on to experience retinal damage and loss of vision due to macular oedema.

Eylea has already been approved in the US in this indication and was produced through a collaboration between Bayer HealthCare and Regeneron.

Dr Kemal Malik, member of the Bayer HealthCare executive committee and head of global development, said: "Eylea is already helping patients suffering from wet age-related macular degeneration. The approval of this additional indication for Eylea is great news for patients in Europe."

This comes after the drug was recommended as a therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence last month.