Basel, November 24, 2025 — Sandoz has officially launched Afqlir® (aflibercept) across Europe, introducing a more affordable treatment option for patients living with serious retinal diseases that can lead to vision loss. The medicine, now available in the UK and set to roll out in major markets such as Germany and France, is approved for the same uses as the reference drug Eylea®.
Afqlir® received European Commission approval in late 2024 after studies confirmed it delivers equivalent efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics to the original medicine. It is offered in a 2 mg vial kit and a pre-filled syringe for intravitreal injection.
Why Afqlir® Matters
Retinal diseases such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and diabetic macular edema (DME) remain leading causes of vision impairment. Many patients require long-term therapy, and the high cost of anti-VEGF treatments has created pressure on both families and healthcare systems.
Aflibercept, the active ingredient in Afqlir®, is widely recognized as a gold-standard therapy for slowing disease progression and helping patients maintain or improve vision.
Christophe Delenta, President Europe at Sandoz, said the launch supports both patient access and sustainability: “Vision loss affects families and caregivers as deeply as the patient. With Afqlir®, we’re bringing a high-quality and more affordable aflibercept treatment to Europe, helping to maintain vision while easing the financial burden on healthcare systems.”
High Need Across Ageing Populations
nAMD is one of the fastest-growing causes of irreversible vision loss in people over 65. Across major markets, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, the US and Japan, around 4 million people are estimated to have nAMD, yet only about half receive treatment.
Affordable biosimilar options like Afqlir® are expected to expand access to care, especially as the demand for anti-VEGF therapies rises.
Part of a Larger Expansion
The Afqlir® rollout adds momentum to the company's growing biosimilar portfolio, following recent launches such as Tyruko® (natalizumab) in the US. Sandoz currently markets 13 biosimilars globally and has more than two dozen additional programs in development.
The company also plans further ophthalmology and immunology launches over the next year, including denosumab in Europe in December 2025.
The launch builds on the existing Sandoz leadership and legacy in biosimilars, dating back to the introduction of the first biosimilar in 2006, and expands the company’s presence in the ~USD 15 billion anti-VEGF ophthalmology market.
About Afqlir®
Afqlir® is a recombinant fusion protein designed to block VEGF-A, VEGF-B and PlGF — growth factors that drive abnormal blood vessel formation in the eye. By inhibiting these pathways, the treatment helps stabilize or improve vision in conditions such as:
- Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD)
- Macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO)
- Diabetic macular edema (DME)
- Myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV)
It is administered as an intravitreal injection at intervals determined by a physician.
