ThromboGenics, a biopharmaceutical company focussed on developing and commercialising innovative ophthalmic medicines, announces that Jetrea (ocriplasmin) has been nominated for the 2014 Prix Galien USA Award in the Best Biotechnology Product category. This is the second time that Jetrea, a novel pharmacological treatment for symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), has been nominated for this award. This latest nomination follows last month’s nomination of Jetrea for the Prix Galien UK Award.

The Prix Galien USA, now in its eighth year, is an international award that recognises outstanding achievements in improving human health through the development of innovative therapies. The winner is selected by a committee of nine experts in the biomedical industry and academia, including five Nobel Laureates.

Dr Patrik De Haes, chief executive officer, of ThromboGenics, said: “We are extremely proud that Jetrea has been nominated for the second time for such a prestigious award. Jetrea is the first  pharmacological option that allows patients with symptomatic VMA/VMT to have access to earlier treatment. ThromboGenics is committed to working with the global retina community to continue to capture additional real-world data on the optimal use of Jetrea so that it can be used to assist as many patients as possible around the world who could benefit from this innovative drug.”

Jetrea is the only drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA). ThromboGenics launched the drug in the US in mid-January 2013.

Jetrea was approved in the European Union in March 2013. Partner Alcon, a division of Novartis, Alcon acquired the rights to commercialise Jetrea outside the United States in March 2012 and is and is rolling out the drug across Europe and the rest of the world.