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news.Belgium-based biopharmaceutical firm ThromboGenics has started evaluating Jetrea (ocriplasmin) as a potential treatment for retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
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The company is focused on developing and commercializing new medicines for the treatment of vitreo-retinal diseases. RVO is the third indication the company has underway for Jetrea.
The new research will build on the company’s earlier Phase IIa data which showed the potential of ocriplasmin (formerly known as microplasmin) to treat peripheral arterial occlusions.
In support of this research, the company has secured a €0.6m grant from the Flemish Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT), which will be used to evaluate ocriplasmin’s ability to lyse the clots that cause RVO by local intravenous administration of this thrombolytic agent in pre-clinical models of the disease.
With this new vitreo-retinal project, the company will show the potential of using locally delivered ocriplasmin for lysing the blood clots (in the retinal veins) that are responsible for this sight threatening condition.
The company will collaborate with the Ophthalmology Department of the University Hospital UZLeuven in Belgium in order to carry out this research.
The IWT grant will also support the company’s partnership with the Mechanical Engineering Department of the KU Leuven.
UZLeuven professor of the Department of Ophthalmology Dr Peter Stalmans said: "Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) is known to be the second most common retinal vascular disease, and thought to negatively impact the quality of life of 16 million patients worldwide.
"RVO, caused by the formation of clots in either the central retinal vein or in branch retinal veins, profoundly affects visual acuity."