indication

For the treatment of patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration.

pharmacology

Ranibizumab is a recombinant humanized IgG1 kappa isotype monoclonal antibody fragment designed for intraocular use. Ranibizumab is a VEGF-A antagonist that binds to and inhibits the biologic activity of active forms of human VEGF-A, including the cleaved form (VEGF₁₁₀). VEGF-A has been shown to cause neovascularization (angiogenesis) and an increase in vascular permeability, which is thought to contribute to the progression of the neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

mechanism of action

Ranibizumab binds to the receptor binding site of active forms of VEGF-A, including the biologically active, cleaved form of this molecule, VEGF₁₁₀. The binding of ranibizumab to VEGF-A prevents the interaction of VEGF-A with its receptors (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2) on the surface of endothelial cells, reducing endothelial cell proliferation, vascular leakage, and new blood vessel formation.

half life

Approximately 3 days