Lucentis approved in Japan

Lucentis (ranibizumab; Novartis) has been approved for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Japan, Novartis has announced.

The application for approval in Japan was supported by a clinical trial demonstrating the efficacy of the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy. The approval comes simultaneously with three other Novartis drug approvals in Japan: Tasigna, for cancer, Xolair for asthma and Co-Dio for high blood pressure.

Lucentis has been approved in Europe since February 2007.