Ensuring familiarity with the area
Healthcare professionals planning to use aflibercept biosimilar should prepare carefully.
Scope of our advice
Our advice covers aflibercept 2mg for ophthalmology indications only. Aflibercept 8mg biosimilars are not expected; patent protection is likely to run until at least 2039.
Read the following to understand where aflibercept is currently recommended for use.
National guidelines
Ensure you are familiar with NICE guidance:
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- Aflibercept solution for injection for treating wet age‑related macular degeneration (TA294)
- Aflibercept for treating visual impairment caused by macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (TA305)
- Aflibercept for treating diabetic macular oedema (TA346)
- Aflibercept for treating visual impairment caused by macular oedema after branch retinal vein occlusion (TA409)
- Aflibercept for treating choroidal neovascularisation (TA486)
- Age-related macular degeneration (NG82)
- Diabetic retinopathy: management and monitoring (NG242)
Where NICE has recommended the reference product ‘the originator’, the same advice will apply to the biosimilar medicine.
NHSE commissioning guidance
Familiarise yourself with:
- Medical Retinal Treatment Pathway in Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration
Aflibercept 2mg biosimilar and ranibizumab biosimilar are recommended first line treatment options. Access this guidance via the NHS Futures workspace, the NHS Biosimilar Hub. Register with your NHS email address to gain access.
An associated calculator for the wet age-related macular degeneration pathway is also available via the NHS Futures workspace.
Product characteristics
Eylea (Bayer) is the aflibercept reference product. Refer to the product characteristics (SPC) for the indication and full prescribing advice. Eylea is available as:
- 2mg pre-filled syringe (40mg per mL)
- 2mg vial (40mg per mL)
Incoming changes with aflibercept biosimilar
It is anticipated Eylea 2mg will lose patent exclusivity by December 2025.
Formulation availability
Aflibercept biosimilars are expected to be available as vials and pre-filled syringes. However, it is anticipated aflibercept biosimilars will be initially supplied exclusively as pre-filled syringes under the framework. This approach will ensure NHS organisations have access to sufficient volumes of high-quality biosimilars in a convenient and ready-to-use presentation.
Product specific advice
Some aflibercept biosimilars are already licensed in the UK. However, they cannot be launched and marketed until Eylea 2mg patent exclusivity expires.
It is anticipated aflibercept 2mg biosimilars will be licensed for all Eylea indications, except retinopathy of prematurity.
Once the NHS framework is awarded we will provide additional information relating to key differences between aflibercept biosimilar pre-filled syringes on contract.
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Planning for implementation
We recommend organisations start planning for the introduction of biosimilar aflibercept.
Pharmacy will need to work collaboratively across integrated care systems to plan for implementation and identify potential barriers. This will include collaboration with prescribing clinicians, specialist nurses, business managers, finance and contracting teams and pharmaceutical industry.
Implementation checklist
Use our phase one implementation checklist to support planning. Phase two checklist coming soon.
Patient information sheet
SPS will produce a patient information sheet that can be adapted locally. Coming soon.
SPS resources on use of biosimilars
We have materials to help understand the background to biological and biosimilar medicines in general.
Understanding biological and biosimilar medicines
SPS biosimilar webinar
Our latest biosimilar and key generics webinar will include information to support planning and implementation aflibercept.
Biosimilar and key generic medicines July 2025 update
SPS resources on ranibizumab biosimilars
We also have materials to support with the implementation of ranibizumab biosimilar.
- Preparing to use ranibizumab biosimilar
- The licence and supporting evidence for ranibizumab biosimilars
- Good governance when implementing ranibizumab biosimilar
SPS resources on pipeline medicines
Be aware of information on pipeline aflibercept biosimilars. Detail is available from: