Maculopathy, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma: the global biopharmaceutical company AbbVie takes the field against the “thieves of sight” and silent companions for over 3 million Italians. “Our group confirms its interest in three major therapeutic indications in the field of ophthalmology: glaucoma, dry eye, retinal diseases, including diabetic retinopathy – explains Annalisa Iezzi, Medical Director of AbbVie Italia to Adnkronos Salute – In particular in glaucoma AbbVie has a therapeutic solution for every moment of the patient’s journey with the pathology linked to the deterioration of the optic nerve and the second cause of blindness in the world. So from drops in mono, or combo-therapy, to devices capable of putting the patient at the center and reducing the frequency of administration of the therapy”. “Ours is a rich portfolio that looks at the patient’s disease experience, having 360° solutions for the organ,” she adds.
Every year in Italy 63 thousand people risk their sight because they are affected by maculopathy – 1 million currently live with age-related macular degeneration. And again: an estimated 1.2 million patients with glaucoma (2% of the over-40 population) and over 1 million people with diabetes who suffer from diabetic retinopathy, the main complication of diabetes and the leading cause of blindness in working age. However, despite 4 million people with diabetes, just 18% of Italians undergo – according to data from the Ministry of Health – an ocular fundus exam.
In all three therapeutic indications “AbbVie has a rich pipeline. As regards dry eye disease” – a chronic alteration of the tear film which affects approximately 20-30% of the general population after the age of 50 – “there are innovative molecules that combine the currently required efficacy by doctors, better well-being on the part of the patient, therefore better comfort in delivery and fewer side effects” underlines the Medical Director of AbbVie Italia.
As regards glaucoma, however, “despite having solutions that can accompany the patient on his journey – adds Iezzi – the further evolution is that of having the traditional molecule whose effectiveness is recognized and confirmed but in the form of a device that allows one or two administrations per year to thus maintain effectiveness, regardless of the patient’s adherence, thus facilitating it. The real novelty is in the field of retinal disease, therefore both in wet and senile maculopathy in diabetic retinopathy of which we know a high incidence and prevalence, AbbVie is currently bringing the innovation of gene therapy to Italy. 10 centers are experimenting with gene therapy for these pathologies”.
Not just drugs. “For Abbvie, prevention in ophthalmology is a fundamental pillar – remarks Iezzi – Let’s take the example of diabetic retinopathy, it is an area in which the company is absolutely aware that for the patient’s well-being it is important to act as soon as possible. For patients with diabetes, a retinal check at the time of diagnosis and then at regular intervals allows diabetic retinopathy to be identified in time. But despite the guidelines requiring an annual check-up for diabetic patients, in Italy less than 20% undergo screening. And this is why we have implemented projects locally in partnership with scientific societies and diabetic patient associations which allow us to book prevention programs for them, primarily the ocular fundus examination to be repeated on an annual basis.
“One of our objectives is to invite patients, in particular people with diabetes for diabetics, to do prevention. We don’t just deal with therapies but we must continue with our commitment, protecting sight at any age” she concludes.
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