FDA DODAC recommends approval of ThromboGenics’ ocriplasmin for VMA

ThromboGenics NV (Euronext Brussels: THR), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative ophthalmic medicines, today announces that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee has recommended that the FDA grant ocriplasmin approval for the treatment of symptomatic Vitreomacular Adhesion (VMA). The Committee voted 10 to 0 at its meeting held yesterday that the benefits of administering ocriplasmin for the treatment of vitreomacular adhesions outweigh the potential risks.

The recommendation of the Advisory Committee will form part of the FDA's overall assessment of the ocriplasmin Biologics License Application (BLA). The FDA has assigned the ocriplasmin BLA a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of 17 October, 2012.

Dr Patrik De Haes, ThromboGenics' CEO, said: "We are pleased that the Advisory Committee has made a positive recommendation supporting the approval of ocriplasmin for the treatment of symptomatic VMA. We will continue to work with the FDA as it completes its assessment of the ocriplasmin BLA. Symptomatic VMA is an area of unmet medical need and ThromboGenics is looking forward to making this novel treatment option available to the many patients in the U.S. who could benefit."