Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL), a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd, announced that its biosimilar Yesafili (aflibercept) has been included under Ontario’s public insurance system in Canada, improving access for patients with serious retinal disorders.
Broader Access Through Public Coverage
The funding applies to both vial and prefilled syringe presentations of Yesafili in 2 mg/0.05 ml dosage, enabling patients to receive treatment at a significantly reduced cost.
Yesafili is the first aflibercept biosimilar approved by Health Canada, and is indicated for:
- Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Diabetic macular oedema (DME)
- Visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)
- Myopic choroidal neovascularisation (myopic CNV)
These conditions affect over two million Canadians and are among the leading causes of irreversible vision loss.
Commitment to Affordable Biologics
Ramy Ayad, Head of Canada at Biocon Biologics, said:
“Ontario’s public funding of Yesafili, Canada’s first Eylea biosimilar and our seventh biosimilar in the country, underscores our commitment to expanding access to biologics and building a sustainable biosimilars environment. Yesafili provides a high-quality, affordable option, removing significant cost barriers for patients and delivering substantial savings to the healthcare system.”
Backed by Robust Clinical Data
Yesafili’s approval is supported by comprehensive analytical, nonclinical, and clinical evidence, including the global phase 3 INSIGHT study, which demonstrated no clinically meaningful differences compared to reference product Eylea in terms of safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity in patients with DME.
Summary:
Biocon Biologics’ Yesafili (aflibercept) has been added to Ontario’s public insurance system, making it more affordable for patients with retinal conditions such as AMD, DME, CRVO/BRVO, and myopic CNV. As Canada’s first Eylea biosimilar, Yesafili not only expands treatment access for over two million Canadians at risk of vision loss but also promises major healthcare cost savings.
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