NICE supports Alimera's three-year uveitis implant

NICE recommends that an implant developed by Alimera Sciences treat an inflammatory eye disease that can lead to permanent vision loss.

The UK's cost-effectiveness body says there is evidence that Iluvien – a formulation of steroid fluocinolone acetonide injected into the eye lasting three years – should be available in the NHS for the treatment of non-infectious posterior uveitis (NIPU). deep in the eye.

In its evaluation document, NICE indicates that Iluvien's use "could mean fewer hospital visits for patients receiving ongoing treatments," including injections of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs and implant-based implants. dexamethasone and Humira (adalimumab), an inhibitor of TNF AbbVie.

Alimera reported three-year data with Iluvien earlier this year, which showed that the implant prolonged the recurrence time in NIPU patients from 10 weeks with a placebo to 94 weeks, and reduced the number of recurrences of 5.3 to 1.7 during the period of the study.

NICE stated that recidivism rates reported in the trial were probably overestimated and that there was no direct comparison with other treatments, but that cost-effective modeling based on a treated eye was his £ 30,000 per QALY. ) threshold for "most scenarios".

At present, the treatments available for NIPU usually involve frequent visits to the hospital for the administration and monitoring of treatment, which can be tedious and disrupt the daily lives of patients and patients. their carers.

NICE notes that about 8,500 people in England have non-infectious uveitis affecting the back of the eye, although, in the case of a recurring illness, the number of those who would be eligible for this treatment is much less important. Iluvien has a list price of £ 5,500 ($ 7,000) per eye and NICE has accepted a confidential discount for NHS England patients.

NIPU is most often caused by underlying autoimmune disease and causes eye pain, eye redness, vision problems, sensitivity to light and headaches. If it is not treated, it can lead to glaucoma, cataracts, macular edema and even blindness.

Iluvien has been approved as a treatment for diabetic macular edema since 2014, but has just received the green light for the indication of uveitis in Europe. In March, the UK's MHRA approved the drug as the EU's reference country, opening the mutual recognition procedure in the other Member States.