ThromboGenics' Founder Prof Desire Collen Receives Scrip Lifetime Achievement Award

LEUVEN, Belgium, November 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

ThromboGenics NV (Euronext Brussels: THR), an integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative ophthalmic medicines, announces that its Founder and Chairman Prof Desire Collen has received the Scrip Lifetime Achievement award. He was presented with this prestigious industry award at the Scrip Awards 2013 event held in London last night.

The Scrip Awards, now in their ninth year, are one of the most prestigious awards recognizing excellence in the global biopharmaceutical and clinical research industries. The Scrip Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the pharmaceutical/biotech industry.

Prof Collen, commenting on his award, said: "I am extremely honoured to have won this award. To receive this level of recognition from the industry that I have dedicated most of my life to is extremely gratifying. I am very pleased that my efforts have led to two drugs that provide important patient benefits reaching the market and the creation of a number of promising biotech companies that I hope will be successful in bringing even more novel therapies to treat areas of high unmet medical need."

Prof Collen played a key role in the development of both tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, and JETREA^® (ocriplasmin) for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion/ vitreomacular traction. tPA was a key product in Genentech's success in the late 1980s and 1990s and when introduced it revolutionized the treatment of acute myocardial infarctions. The potential of Jetrea, launched earlier this year, was reflected in the licensing deal ThromboGenics signed with Alcon (part of Novartis), in March 2012 for the commercialization of this novel medicine outside the US. This deal won the Scrip Licensing Deal of the Year in 2012.

Prof Collen is also a world renowned scientist in the field of life sciences. His research interests are in the molecular biology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system and translational research on drug development. He has co-authored more than 650 scientific publications, and has co-invented over 20 issued patents and patent applications.   He has won several scientific awards, including the Francqui Prize (Belgium), the Prix Louis Jeantet de Médecine (Switzerland), the Bristol-Myers-Squibb award for Cardiovascular Research (USA), and the Health Prize of the Interbrew-Baillet Latour Fund (Belgium) (jointly with P. Carmeliet).

Prof Collen is a successful biotech entrepreneur and investor. He was the Founder and CEO of ThromboGenics before becoming its Chairman in 2008. In addition, he has invested in other biotech companies including Cardio 3 Biosciences which successfully listed on Euronext Brussels and Paris in July of this year.

About JETREA^® (ocriplasmin)

JETREA^® (ocriplasmin) is a truncated form of human plasmin. In the US, JETREA^® is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic VMA. In Europe, JETREA^® is indicated for the treatment of vitreomacular traction (VMT), including when associated with macular hole of diameter ≤ 400 microns. JETREA^® is a selective proteolytic enzyme that cleaves fibronectin, laminin and collagen, three major components of the vitreoretinal interface that play an important role in vitreomacular adhesion.

JETREA^® has been evaluated in two multi-center, randomized, double-masked Phase III trials conducted in the U.S. and Europe involving 652 patients with vitreomacular adhesion. Both studies met the primary endpoint of resolution of VMA at day 28.

JETREA's Phase III program found that 26.5% of patients treated with ocriplasmin saw resolution of VMA, compared with 10.1% of patients receiving placebo (p<0.01). The Phase III program also showed that JETREA was generally well tolerated with most adverse events being transient and mild in severity.

About ThromboGenics

ThromboGenics is an integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative ophthalmic and oncology medicines. The Company's lead product, JETREA^® (ocriplasmin), has been approved by the US FDA for the treatment of symptomatic VMA and was launched in January 2013.  

ThromboGenics signed a strategic partnership with Alcon (Novartis) for the commercialization of JETREA^® outside the United States. Under this agreement, ThromboGenics could receive up to a total of €375 million in up-front and milestone payments. It will receive significant royalties from Alcon's net sales of JETREA^®. ThromboGenics and Alcon intend to share the costs equally of developing JETREA^® for a number of new vitreoretinal indications.

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 and Sweden.  

ThromboGenics is also further exploring anti-PIGF (Placental Growth Factor), also referred to as TB-403, for the treatment of ophthalmic and oncology indications.

ThromboGenics is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has-offices in Iselin, NJ (US) and Dublin, Ireland. The Company is listed on the NYSE Euronext Brussels exchange under the symbol THR. More information is available at http://www.thrombogenics.com.

Important information about forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking". Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and, accordingly, entail and are influenced by various risks and uncertainties. The Company therefore cannot provide any assurance that such forward-looking statements will materialize and does not assume an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason. Additional information concerning risks and uncertainties affecting the business and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement is contained in the Company's Annual Report.

This press release does not constitute an offer or invitation for the sale or purchase of securities or assets of ThromboGenics in any jurisdiction.  No securities of ThromboGenics may be offered or sold within the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or in compliance with an exemption therefrom, and in accordance with any applicable U.S. state securities laws.

For further information please contact:

Thrombogenics

Wouter Piepers, Global Head of Corporate Communications
+32-16-75-13-10 / +32-478-33-56-32
[email protected]

Dr. Patrik De Haes, CEO
+32-16-75-13-10
[email protected]

Chris Buyse, CFO
+32-16-75-13-10
[email protected]

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
David Dible/ Sita Shah
Tel: +44-20-7638-9571  
[email protected]

The Trout Group (US investor relations)
Todd James/ Simon Harnest
Tel: +1-646-378-2926
[email protected]

SOURCE ThromboGenics