Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) patients may soon have an injection option to combat the disease’s progression. Research now suggests Eylea (aflibercept, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals), currently used to treat macular degeneration and retinal vein occlusion, can safely and effectively treat moderately severe to severe NPDR in patients without diabetic macular edema (DME), according to the company. It is already indicated for use in diabetic retinopathy patients with DME.

The drug’s Phase III PANORAMA trial, a 402-patient study designed to investigate the drug’s use for NPDR patients without DME, found that, among those on Eylea therapy at 24 weeks, 58% experienced a two-step or better improvement from baseline on the diabetic retinopathy severity scale. On sham injections, only 6% of patients saw improvements.

Regeneron says it will submit these results for presentation at a future medical congress and that the study will form the basis of a supplemental application to the Food and Drug Administration later this year.