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