Definition

A humanized bispecific antibody targeting both vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2; Ang2; ANGPT2), that is used for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. Upon intravitreal administration, faricimab targets and binds to both VEGF-A and Ang-2, and prevents VEGF-A- and Ang-2-mediated signaling. The inhibition of VEGF-A-mediated signaling decreases endothelial cell proliferation, neovascularization and vascular permeability. The inhibition of Ang-2-mediated signaling improves vascular stability and desensitizes blood vessels to the effects of VEGF-A. VEGF and Ang-2, upregulated in some eye diseases, play important roles in pathological neovascularization and increased vascular permeability and inflammation, which may lead to vision loss.