Results were shown for the first time evaluating the potential of microplasmin for the induction of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), in a presentation yesterday at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

In current clinical practice, PVD is induced via surgical vitrectomy, whereby the vitreous (the jelly-like substance in the center of the eye) is intentionally removed from the retina, for treatment of a variety of retinal conditions, including diabetic retinopathy. Given the difficulties inherent in detaching the vitreous by surgical vitrectomy, a drug given prior to surgical vitrectomy that could facilitate the induction of PVD may lead to more rapid surgery with fewer complications. Approximately 500,000 surgical vitrectomies are performed annually worldwide (200,000 in the U.S.).

Microplasmin is a truncated form of the natural human protein plasmin; ThromboGenics has developed on a proprietary basis the first stabilized and readily manufactured form of this molecule.

In this study, microplasmin was injected into the vitreous, with evaluation performed at various timepoints to determine if the desired outcome (PVD) had been achieved. This study demonstrated that microplasmin did in fact rapidly achieve its primary endpoint.

Professor Marc de Smet of the University of Amsterdam (principal investigator for this study) stated that, "these results support the significant potential of microplasmin to fill a large unmet need in ophthalmology, the ability to pharmacologically induce vitreous detachment".

ThromboGenics' founder and CEO, Dr. Desire Collen, added, "in addition to our ongoing development of microplasmin for systemic administration, we are pleased to have the opportunity to develop microplasmin for intravitreal administration for this important therapeutic use."

Based on these encouraging results, ThromboGenics will proceed with intravitreal toxicology assessments, as well as additional pharmacology experiments. Pending results from these experiments, ThromboGenics plans to proceed with clinical development in patients with vitreoretinal disease within the next 9 to 12 months.