Regeneron jumps on VEGF Trap-Eye data

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN) gained $4.86 (20%) to $29.53 on Monday after it and partner Bayer AG (Xetra:BAY) reported that intravitreal VEGF Trap-Eye met the primary endpoint of non-inferiority to Lucentis ranibizumab in two Phase III trials to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In the VIEW 1 and VIEW 2 trials, VEGF Trap-Eye was non-inferior to Lucentis in the proportion of patients who maintained or improved vision from baseline to week 52. The trials' non-inferiority margin was 10%. VIEW 1 was conducted in the U.S. and Canada, while VIEW 2 was conducted in Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan and Latin America.

The trials enrolled 1,217 and 1,240 patients, respectively. The partners plan to submit regulatory applications in the U.S. and Europe for the product to treat wet AMD in 1H11. VEGF Trap-Eye is also in a pair of Phase III trials to treat central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), with data expected early next year. VEGF Trap-Eye is a human fusion protein that binds all forms of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and placental growth factor (PlGF). ...