LEUVEN, Belgium, Dec. 20, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ThromboGenics NV (Euronext Brussels: THR), an integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative ophthalmic medicines, announces today the appointment of Dr David Guyer to its Board of Directors.
Dr Guyer M.D. is a long standing member of the US retina community and is currently the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ophthotech Corporation and also serves as Chairman of its board of directors. Ophthotech Corporation is a public biopharmaceutical company focusing on discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class therapies for the treatment of major ophthalmic diseases. Ophthotech's lead compound Fovista (previously known as E10030) is being evaluated in a Phase III trial for use in combination with anti-VEGF therapy for the treatment of patients with wet AMD. Ophthotech listed on Nasdaq in September 2013, raising $192 million in its IPO.
Dr. Guyer is also on the Boards of Allocure and Panoptica.
Dr.Guyer co-founded and served as CEO and a Director of Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he led the company through private, public and corporate financings, and oversaw the rapid development and successful commercialization of Macugen ® (pegaptanib sodium), the first FDA-approved anti-VEGF pharmacological treatment for the treatment of wet AMD. Eyetech was acquired by OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc for $935 million in 2005.
Staf Van Reet, the Chairman of ThromboGenics commenting on today's announcement said, "I am delighted to welcome David to the Board. His decades of success in the ophthalmology space both in drug development and commercialization, particularly in the US, will be extremely valuable to ThromboGenics. We are continuing to maximize the potential of JETREA ® for the treatment of symptomatic VMA and further develop our emerging portfolio of therapies for the treatment of diabetes-related retinal diseases. "
Dr Guyer has also had a successful career in academic medicine as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Guyer received his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Yale College summa cum laude and his medical degree (M.D.) from Johns Hopkins Medical School. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital and a retinal fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Harvard Medical School.
Dr David Guyer, commenting on his appointment, said, " ThromboGenics has made significant progress in recent years, leading to the introduction of JETREA ® in the US early in 2013. I am happy to be joining the board of this dynamic company as it works to create a new treatment paradigm for patients with early stage symptomatic VMA."
For further information please contact:
| Thrombogenics Wouter Piepers, Global Head of Corporate Communications +32 16 75 13 10 / +32 478 33 56 32 Wouter.piepers@thrombogenics.com Dr. Patrik De Haes, CEO +32 16 75 13 10 Patrik.dehaes@thrombogenics.com Chris Buyse, CFO +32 16 75 13 10 Chris.buyse@thrombogenics.com |
| Citigate Dewe Rogerson David Dible/ Sita Shah Tel: +44 20 7638 9571 sita.shah@citigatedr.co.uk | The Trout Group (US investor relations) Todd James/ Simon Harnest Tel: +1 646 378 2926 tjames@troutgroup.com |
About JETREA ® (ocriplasmin)
JETREA ® (ocriplasmin) is a truncated form of human plasmin. In the US, JETREA ® is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic VMA. In Europe, JETREA ® is indicated for the treatment of vitreomacular traction (VMT), including when associated with macular hole of diameter < = 400 microns. JETREA ® is a selective proteolytic enzyme that cleaves fibronectin, laminin and collagen, three major components of the vitreoretinal interface that play an important role in vitreomacular adhesion.
JETREA ® has been evaluated in two multi-center, randomized, double-masked Phase III trials conducted in the U.S. and Europe involving 652 patients with vitreomacular adhesion. Both studies met the primary endpoint of resolution of VMA at day 28.
JETREA's Phase III program found that 26.5% of patients treated with ocriplasmin saw resolution of VMA, compared with 10.1% of patients receiving placebo (p < 0.01). The Phase III program also showed that JETREA ® was generally well tolerated with most adverse events being transient and mild in severity.
About ThromboGenics
ThromboGenics is an integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative ophthalmic and oncology medicines. The Company's lead product, JETREA ® (ocriplasmin), has been approved by the US FDA for the treatment of symptomatic VMA and was launched in January 2013.
ThromboGenics signed a strategic partnership with Alcon (Novartis) for the commercialization of JETREA ® outside the United States. Under this agreement, ThromboGenics could receive up to a total of €375 million in up-front and milestone payments. It will receive significant royalties from Alcon's net sales of JETREA ® . ThromboGenics and Alcon intend to share the costs equally of developing JETREA ® for a number of new vitreoretinal indications.
In Europe, JETREA ® is approved for the treatment of vitreomacular traction (VMT), including when associated with macular hole of diameter less than or equal to 400 microns. Alcon has launched JETREA ® in the UK, Germany, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. It has also recently introduced this novel product in Canada.
ThromboGenics is also further exploring anti-PIGF (Placental Growth Factor), also referred to as TB-403, for the treatment of ophthalmic and oncology indications.
ThromboGenics is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Iselin, NJ (US) and Dublin, Ireland. The Company is listed on the NYSE Euronext Brussels exchange under the symbol THR. More information is available at 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.
This press release does not constitute an offer or invitation for the sale or purchase of securities or assets of ThromboGenics in any jurisdiction. No securities of ThromboGenics may be offered or sold within the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or in compliance with an exemption therefrom, and in accordance with any applicable U.S. state securities laws.
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