LEUVAN, Belgium, March 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ThromboGenics NV (Euronext Brussels: THR), an integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative medicines for the treatment of vitreo-retinal diseases, is pleased to announce that Joseph Markoff, Ph.D., M.D. has joined the Company as Scientific Advisor. Dr. Markoff will report to Paul G. Howes, Executive Chairman of ThromboGenics Inc., and work with the Medical Affairs team in the U.S. and the global Clinical Development team.
Dr. Markoff has over 35 years of experience as an ophthalmic surgeon at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. He has directed the hospital's Visual Physiology service for the past 32 years and also holds the rank of Attending Surgeon and Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University Medical School.
Dr. Markoff founded Philadelphia Eye Associates, a leading private eye care practice in the Philadelphia area. From February 2010 till recently, he assumed the role as Global Director for Scientific Affairs in Ophthalmology at Merck & Co., Inc.
Dr. Markoff has conducted over 50 clinical trials during his career sponsored by companies such as Alcon, Allergan, Pfizer, Pharmacia and Merck & Co.
Paul Howes, Executive Chairman of ThromboGenics, Inc. said: " Joseph Markoff adds vast experience and knowledge in ophthalmology, particularly in the retinal space, to the ThromboGenics team. I expect his expertise to prove hugely valuable as we roll-out the results of on-going real-world clinical studies on treatment of symptomatic VMA with JETREA ® and embark on new indications such as diabetic retinopathy."
For further information please contact:
| ThromboGenics Wouter Piepers, Global Head of Corporate Communications & IR +32 16 75 13 10 / +32 478 33 56 32 wouter.piepers@thrombogenics.com | Citigate Dewe Rogerson David Dible/ Malcolm Robertson Tel: +44 20 7638 9571 malcolm.robertson@citigatedr.co.uk |
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, a division of Novartis, for the commercialization of JETREA ® outside the United States.
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 .
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 less than or equal to 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.
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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