Leuven, Belgium - 27 December, 2013 - ThromboGenics NV (Euronext Brussels: THR), an integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative ophthalmic medicines, announces today that JETREA® has received a positive Common Drug Review (CDR) in Canada. ThromboGenics signed a strategic partnership in 2012 with Alcon, a division of Novartis, for the commercialization of JETREA® outside of the United States.

In August 2013, Health Canada approved JETREA® (ocriplasmin) for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA). In November, JETREA® was made commercially available to Canadians who suffer from this sight-threatening condition.

The Common Drug Review, which is carried out by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), is a pan-Canadian process for conducting objective, rigorous reviews of the clinical, cost-effectiveness, and patient evidence for drugs. CDR also provides formulary listing recommendations to Canada's publicly funded drug plans (except Quebec).

JETREA® is already covered by most of the major private payers in Canada.

ThromboGenics and Alcon intend to share the costs equally of developing JETREA® for a number of new vitreoretinal indications.

Dr Patrik De Haes, CEO of ThromboGenics said: "I am pleased that JETREA® has received a positive Common Drug Review in Canada. To-date only 30% of all first-in-class products has received a positive CDR listing recommendation. This follows and confirms positive outcomes with the reimbursement agencies in the UK and Germany. I believe today's CDR review and recognition of the clinical and economic value of this novel treatment for symptomatic VMA augurs well for the future success of JETREA®."

In Europe, JETREA® is approved for the treatment of vitreomacular traction (VMT), including when associated with macular hole of diameter less than or equal to 400 microns. Alcon has launched JETREA® in the UK, Germany, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Canada. 

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