ThromboGenics Announces Dr Julia Haller to Present Ocriplasmin Phase III Responder Analysis at Opening Session of AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Retina Subspecialty Day
LEUVEN, Belgium, October 20, 2011/PRNewswire/ --
Leading retinal specialist also invited to present ocriplasmin
responder analysis for the treatment of macular holes at Best of
the
Posterior Segment Specialty Meetings
ThromboGenics NV (Euronext Brussels: THR), a biopharmaceutical
company focused on developing innovative ophthalmic medicines,
announces that three leading retinal specialists will present the
responder analysis on ocriplasmin, a potentially novel treatment
for retinal disorders, at the 2011 AAO Annual Meeting in Orlando,
USA (21-25 October 2011).
The presentations include the opening session of the Retina
Subspecialty Day by Dr Julia Haller, Ophthalmologist-in-Chief at
the Wills Eye Institute, Professor and Chair of the Department of
Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University. The Retina
Subspecialty Day aims to provide up-to-date, relevant topics and
insights into new treatments for retina specialists from around the
world.
In addition, Dr Peter Kaiser has been selected to present his paper
on ocriplasmin for the treatment of macular holes at the Best of
the Posterior Segment Specialty Meetings. This presentation has
been selected by the AAO Special Projects Committee based on the
best data presentations from major retina meetings during 2011. Dr
Kaiser presented a review of these data at the American Society of
Retina Specialists (ASRS; please see press release dated 22 August
2011).
Details of the presentations are as follows:
- Retina Subspecialty Day
Dr. Julia Haller: The Vitreomacular Interface
and Ocriplasmin 2011
21 October: 8.05-8.12am; Valencia Room
W415abc
- AAO General Session
Dr. Pravin Dugel: A New Pharmacologic Option for
the Treatment of
Symptomatic Vitreomacular Adhesions: Phase III
Clinical Trial Results of
Ocriplasmin from the MIVI-TRUST Program
24 October: 10.27-11.00am; Room W414cd
- AAO General Session, Best of the Posterior
Segment Specialty Meetings
2011
Dr. Peter Kaiser: Ocriplasmin for the Treatment
of Macular Holes: Results
From the MIVI-TRUST Phase III Program
25 October: 12.15-1.00pm; Room W311
Dr. Julia Haller, Ophthalmologist-in-Chief of the Wills Eye
Institute, Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology
at Thomas Jefferson University, said: "I am delighted to be the
lead-off batter for this year's Retina Subspecialty Day, presenting
the latest data on clinical trials of ocriplasmin, a novel
vitreolytic agent that has the potential to offer a minimally
invasive pharmacological approach to diseases of the vitreoretinal
interface. As a retina surgeon in clinical practice for over 25
years, it is exciting to see the possibilities that ocriplasmin may
offer us as a nonsurgical, potentially earlier and safer approach
to sight-threatening disorders."
Dr Patrik Haes, CEO of ThromboGenics, added: "The continued and
growing support from the international retinal community highlights
their interest in ocriplasmin's potential to pharmacologically
treat patients with symptomatic VMA including macular hole. We are
making solid progress to bring ocriplasmin to market, with the
review of the EMA marketing authorization application under way and
a filing with the U.S. FDA planned by the end of the year."
The AAO is the largest U.S membership association of
ophthalmologists. It also includes more than 7,000 international
members. Its annual meeting is the largest gathering of
ophthalmologists in the world, with approximately 10,000 attendees
at the 2011 meeting.
Ocriplasmin is a novel pharmacological agent for the treatment of
symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) including macular hole.
Symptomatic VMA is a progressive condition that if left untreated
generally leads to further decrease in vision and potential for
irreversible damage as well as complications. Market research
conducted by ThromboGenics suggests that there are approximately a
total of 500,000 patients in the major markets of the EU and the US
who could initially benefit from ocriplasmin. The Marketing
Authorization Application for ocriplasmin has been accepted for
review in Europe. If approved, ocriplasmin will be the first
pharmacological treatment for a condition which is currently only
treated when the disease progresses to significant complications
and symptoms that warrant surgery.
Biographies
Dr Julia Haller, MD, is Ophthalmologist-in-Chief of the Wills Eye
Institute, Professor and Chair of the department of ophthalmology
at Thomas Jefferson University. She has published over 250 papers
in peer-reviewed literature and over 20 book chapters. She is past
president of the ASRS and is on the editorial boards of RETINA,
Retinal Physician, Ocular Surgery News, Ophthalmology Times, and
Evidence-Based Ophthalmology.
Dr Peter K. Kaiser, MD, is Professor of Ophthalmology at the
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, and Founder and
Director of the Digital Optical Coherence Tomography Reading
Center. He is Study Chairman of five international clinical trials
and Principal Investigator in several other trials. Dr Kaiser has
authored seven textbooks, 25 book chapters, and more than 150
peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Dr Pravin U. Dugel, M.D, is Managing Partner of Retinal Consultants
of Arizona and Clinical Associate Professor at the Doheny Eye
Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern
California in Los Angeles. He has delivered numerous named lectures
internationally and has served as primary investigator in many
National Eye Institute research studies. Dr Dugel has authored more
than 200 papers and book chapters.
About ThromboGenics
ThromboGenics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing
innovative ophthalmic medicines. The Company's lead product
ocriplasmin has successfully completed two Phase III clinical
trials for the pharmacological treatment of symptomatic
vitreomacular adhesion (VMA). The Marketing Authorization
Application for ocriplasmin has been accepted for review in Europe
and the BLA is expected to be filed in the U.S. by the end of 2011.
Ocriplasmin is also in Phase II clinical development for additional
vitreoretinal conditions.
ThromboGenics is also developing novel antibody therapeutics in
collaboration with BioInvent International. These include TB-402
(anti-Factor VIII), a long-acting anticoagulant in Phase II, and
TB-403 (anti-PlGF) in Phase Ib/II for cancer in partnership with
Roche.
ThromboGenics is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. The Company is
listed on NYSE Euronext Brussels under the symbol THR. More
information is available at http://www.thrombogenics.com.
Important information about forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this press release may be considered
"forward-looking". Such forward-looking statements are based on
current expectations, and, accordingly, entail and are influenced
by various risks and uncertainties. The Company therefore cannot
provide any assurance that such forward-looking statements will
materialize and does not assume an obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or any other reason. Additional
information concerning risks and uncertainties affecting the
business and other factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from any forward-looking statement is contained
in the Company's Annual Report.
For further information please contact:
ThromboGenics
Dr. Patrik De Haes, CEO
Tel: +32-16-75-13-10
patrik.dehaes@thrombogenics.com
Chris Buyse, CFO
Tel: +32-16-75-13-10
chris.buyse@thrombogenics.com
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
David Dible/ Nina Enegren/ Sita Shah
Tel: +44(0)207-638-95-71
nina.enegren@citigatedr.co.uk
Source: ThromboGenics
Posted: October 2011
