A patent review of anti‑VEGF antibodies for the treatment of ocular diseases (2020–present)

INTRODUCTION: Anti-VEGF therapy remains central to the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion, but treatment burden and limited durability remain major unmet needs. This review examines how recent patenting has shifted from first-generation anti-VEGF binders toward approaches designed to extend intraocular durability and strengthen product differentiation. AREAS COVERED: This article reviews the patent landscape for antibody-based VEGF inhibition in ophthalmology from 1 January 2020 to 18 September 2026. Patent databases of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), European Patent Office (EPO), Japan Patent Office (JPO), and China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) were searched for composition-of-matter, formulation, method-of-treatment, and delivery claims. The review covers bispecific antibodies, antibody-biopolymer conjugates, gene-encoded antibody fragments, and high-concentration ophthalmic formulations, with relevant clinical programs used to provide context. EXPERT OPINION: Anti-VEGF antibody patenting is now driven mainly by durability rather than by new binding targets alone. Over the next few years, competitive advantage is likely to depend on the successful integration of molecular format, formulation, delivery, and manufacturability into clinically reliable long-acting products.