Bayer HealthCare receives DMO approval for Eylea in Europe

Bayer HealthCare has announced that its ophthalmologic therapy Eylea has been approved for use in Europe as a treatment for diabetic macular oedema (DMO).

Data from two phase III trials has shown that the majority of patients with visual impairment due to DMO experienced a significant two-line improvement in visual acuity when receiving Eylea, an aflibercept solution therapy for injection-based administration.

Visual impairment due to DMO is estimated to affect three to four percent of people with diabetes, making it the most frequent cause of blindness in young and middle-aged adults in developed nations.

Eylea has also been approved in many countries worldwide for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration and visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion.

Dr Joerg Moeller, member of the Bayer HealthCare executive committee and head of global development, said: "This is an important step that further demonstrates our commitment in ophthalmology to bring new treatment options to patients suffering from serious ophthalmologic conditions."

According to Bayer's financial report for the second quarter of 2014, strong sales of Eylea have been among the key drivers of growth for the healthcare business as a whole this year.