Cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of faricimab in diabetic macular edema in China
Publication: Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research
Abstract
Aim: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is one of the leading causes of vision impairment in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of faricimab (Vabysmo®), the first bispecific antibody targeting VEGF-A and ANG-2, for treating DME in China. Materials & methods: We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis from the perspective of the Chinese health system using a Markov model to simulate long-term outcomes in DME patients. The model population was based on the Chinese subgroup from the RHINE trial, with a mean starting age of 58.7 years. Faricimab, administered according to a personalized treatment interval regimen following four initial monthly injections, was compared with aflibercept (every 8 weeks) and with ranibizumab and conbercept (both following a pro-re nata dosing regimen). The model incorporated clinical efficacy, adverse events, quality-adjusted life years and direct costs. Extensive sensitivity analyses (one-way and probabilistic) were performed to assess the robustness of the findings. Results: Over 20 years, faricimab gained 0.42, 0.61, 0.80 incremental quality-adjusted life years compared with aflibercept, conbercept, ranibizumab, while reducing treatment costs by 33,315 Chinese Yuan (CNY), 59,061 CNY and 12,314 CNY, respectively. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these results, consistently demonstrating faricimab as a dominant and cost-effective treatment option for DME. Conclusion: This first Chinese cost-effectiveness study of faricimab for DME shows it enhances visual outcomes and reduces costs, supporting its adoption and providing evidence for healthcare decision-making on reimbursement and resource allocation.
Plain language summary
What is this article about?
This study explored the cost-effectiveness of faricimab compared with aflibercept, conbercept and ranibizumab for diabetic macular edema (DME). DME is a diabetes-related eye disease that can cause serious vision loss. Faricimab is the first bispecific antibody targeting VEGF-A/ANG-2 for DME, which may improve treatment adherence by reducing injection frequency and visit burden, thereby supporting better long-term visual outcomes. The study analyzed the costs and effectiveness of these treatments over 20 years from the Chinese health system perspective.
What method were used?
A Markov model was developed to estimate how faricimab performs over time compared with three other anti-VEGF medicines currently used in China – aflibercept, conbercept and ranibizumab. The model used clinical data from Chinese subgroup in the RHINE trial and considered the medical costs and quality-adjusted life years over 20 years from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system.
What were the results?
Faricimab demonstrated improved vision and quality-adjusted life years for patients compared with other drugs while reducing overall treatment costs. These results were consistent even when different assumptions were tested in sensitivity analyses.
What do the results mean?
This study suggests that faricimab is a cost-effective treatment option for people with DME in China. This evidence can support healthcare decision-makers when determining reimbursement policies and selecting optimal treatment choices for DME patients.
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© 2026 The authors. This work is licensed under the Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Unported License
History
Received: 20 November 2025
Accepted: 11 February 2026
Published online: 18 March 2026
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Cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of faricimab in diabetic macular edema in China. (2026) Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research. DOI: 10.57264/cer-2025-0190
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