Biocon and Zydus Launch Aflibercept Biosimilars for Retinal Diseases
Biocon's Yesafili, an interchangeable aflibercept biosimilar, is now available in the U.S., while Zydus Lifesciences launched Anyra in India. Both aim to treat retinal diseases such as diabetic macular edema. Biocon plans further launches in the UK and other markets, as competition intensifies.
Biosimilar versions of the blockbuster eye drug Eylea are reaching patients in multiple markets. Biocon Biologics has made its aflibercept biosimilar, Yesafili (aflibercept-jbvf), commercially available in the United States, while Zydus Lifesciences has launched Anyra, India’s first indigenously developed aflibercept biosimilar, for retinal disorders.
Yesafili, an interchangeable biosimilar to Eylea 2 mg, received FDA approval in May 2024. It is indicated for neovascular age-related macular degeneration, macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy. In the phase 3 INSIGHT study, researchers compared Yesafili with Eylea 2 mg in patients with diabetic macular edema and found no differences in safety or efficacy.
Anyra targets visual impairments including diabetic retinopathy, leveraging India’s large diabetes population, which exceeds 100 million people. Zydus Lifesciences has entered into agreements with Regeneron and Bayer, the originators of Eylea, to support the launch. The company’s managing director described Anyra as a transformative step for affordable retinal care, reinforcing Zydus’s commitment to expanding patient access to advanced biologics.
The competitive landscape is rapidly evolving. Biocon plans to launch Yesafili in the UK in January 2026 and in other regions in March 2026, while Lupin Ltd. has completed Phase 3 trials for its own aflibercept biosimilar. The Indian ophthalmic drugs market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.62% between FY2026 and FY2033, reaching approximately USD 554.60 million by FY2033, driven by rising diabetes prevalence and increasing healthcare expenditure.