stella
Macular DegenerationJanuary 2022

What the TENAYA Trial Found — Faricimab for Wet Macular Degeneration

TENAYA tested faricimab, an eye injection that blocks two different growth signals at once, in 671 adults with wet age-related macular degeneration. Vision gains matched what people get on the previous standard drug aflibercept — but many faricimab patients only needed an injection every 16 weeks instead of every 8.

What the trial was testing

The TENAYA enrolled 671 patients with macular degeneration. The study was sponsored by Hoffmann-La Roche and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.

It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.

What the results showed

~45% of faricimab patients only needed an injection every 16 weeks at one year.

The Lancet · 2022 · NCT03823287

These findings — that on faricimab were able to extend injections to every 16 weeks at one year — were published in the The Lancet and represent the headline result of the study.

Researchers tracked outcomes across 671 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.

What this means for patients

For patients with macular degeneration, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.

What you can do now

Faricimab (Vabysmo) is FDA-approved for wet macular degeneration and available now. The big patient win is fewer trips for injections — many people can stretch to every 4 months once stable. Ask your retina specialist whether faricimab fits your treatment plan, especially if you're tired of monthly visits.

Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.