Deliverable: Transcripts

Objectives:

• To understand the impact of initial approval of Lucentis™ (ranibizumab) on AMD treatment
• Current use and Lucentis impacts on PDT/Visudyne™ (verteporfin), Macugen® (pegaptanib sodium)
• Current use of Avastin in AMD and expected impact of Lucentis
• Relationship and terms Genentech offered for initial stocking
• Buying and billing versus administering on “consignment”; expected profitability

Products Highlighted:

• Lucentis™ (ranibizumab); Genentech
• PDT/Visudyne™ (verteporfin); Novartis
• Macugen® (pegaptanib sodium); Eyetech/Pfizer
• Avastin® (bevacizumab); Genentech

• Current treatment practices for wet AMD
• Use of Lucentis and its impact on treatment practices
• Lucentis dosing trends
• Off-label use of therapies for wet AMD and other related eye conditions
• Treatment barriers, facilitators, and trends

Quotes:

• “With regard to the relatively rare classic extrafoveal or juxtafoveal lesion that would typically have been thermal laser cases I have become more reluctant to use this modality given…”
• “We are not yet using Lucentis, but we will be using it soon. We will probably use Lucentis in…”
• “…Would CMS fund it? The thinking here would be the possibility of millions in savings for CMS and the government if Avastin were found to be similar or superior. There are also the issues and complexities that arise when applying for an IND for Avastin without the consent of the manufacturer…”
• “Off-label uses of Avastin include…”

Screening Criteria:

• 12 US-based Retinal Specialists
• Treating a high volume of wet AMD
• Experience using Visudyne and Macugen (required) and mix of users/non-users of Lucentis and Avastin

Representative Institutions:

• Stanford University
• Sarasota Retina Institute
• Baylor College
• Orlando Regional Medical Center
• Harris Methodist Fort Worth
• Cleveland Clinic
• Pennsylvania Retina Specialists
• Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
• University of Iowa
• University of California San Francisco
• Lutheran General Hospital