NICE has published final draft guidance recommending bevacizumab gamma (Lytenava from Outlook Therapeutics) for adults with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). 

The ‘wet’ form of age-related macular degeneration is a progressive disease that affects the central part of the retina at the back of the eye. It is caused by the abnormal growth of blood vessels beneath the retina, which may leak fluid and blood and cause swelling. 

The treatment, which is given as an injection and can usually be administered monthly, works by attaching to a protein that circulates in the blood and slowing down blood vessel growth in the eye, reducing fluid leakage and swelling. 

AMD is a common cause of vision loss in people aged over 50 years of age and is associated with the loss of central vision and visual distortion. Initial symptoms can include blurred or distorted central vision. There are an estimated 40,000 new cases of wet AMD in the UK each year. 

Bevacizumab gamma has been recommended through the cost-comparison process, after it was found to have similar health benefits to aflibercept and ranibizumab, two other treatments already recommended by NICE for the same condition. It also has similar costs to aflibercept.  

NHS England and integrated care boards have agreed to provide funding to implement the guidance 30 days after publication of final guidance.