Ph III trials show Novartis' Jetrea improves vitreomacular traction

Swiss drug major Novartis (NOVN: VX) that the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) this week published positive results of two Phase III studies of the investigational eye treatment ocriplasmin, partnered with Belgian biopharmaceutical firm ThromboGenics NV (Euronext Brussels: THR).

The two Phase III trials (which included 652 patients) suggest that the investigational ophthalmic product ocriplasmin (proposed trade name Jetrea)) significantly resolved vitreomacular traction and closed macular holes compared to placebo in patients with vitreomacular adhesion. Vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), including vitreomacular traction (VMT) and macular holes, is an age-related progressive, debilitating eye disease that may lead to visual distortion, loss in visual acuity and central blindness. More than 300,000 patients suffer from this disease in Europe alone.

"Results from the Phase III program with ocriplasmin are significant as they demonstrate the potential for using an enzymatic approach to resolve vitreomacular adhesion. This represents a real advance for patients living with vitreomacular adhesion who currently only have the option of surgery at a later stage of the disease," said Peter Stalmans of the Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium. "The majority of patients who achieved resolution of their vitreomacular adhesion after a single intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin showed this positive outcome within the first seven days,” Prof Stalmans added.