Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections are the mainstay of treatment for retinal vascular diseases. However, despite their efficacy, the cost of long term intravitreal injections poses a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems. Recently, ranibizumab biosimilar (ranibizumab BS1, Senju Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd) has become available in Japan [1]. Ranibizumab BS1 is expected to have equivalent efficacy to the originator ranibizumab (0.5 mg) (Lucentis, Genentech, USA) but costs approximately 50% less (85,535 yen/560 USD versus 166,698 yen/1090 USD at the time of approval) per injection. Here, we report the early clinical outcomes regarding safety and efficacy in patients receiving ranibizumab BS1 injections for various retinal diseases. This study is part of the initiative undertaken by the international retina biosimilar study group (Inter BIOS Group).

This was a retrospective study conducted at, Toyama University Hospital, Japan. The primary outcome measure was visual outcomes after ranibizumab BS1 injections, while the secondary outcome measure was adverse events after ranibizumab BS1 injections. Statistical analyses were performed with JMP Pro Software (SAS Inc., Cary, NC, USA) and SigmaStat software version 4.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

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