LEUVEN, Belgium, May 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

ThromboGenics NV (Euronext Brussels: THR) a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative ophthalmic medicines, announces that it has commenced research and development of innovative protein therapeutics to address a novel ThromboGenics-identified biologic target implicated in a range of diabetic eye diseases such as diabetic macular edema (DME).

ThromboGenics will utilize Eleven Biotherapeutics' proprietary AMP-Rx protein design technology to create a novel therapeutic of ThromboGenics' selection optimized for improved pharmaceutical characteristics and therapeutic benefits.

ThromboGenics will have the exclusive license to all future developments and commercialization of this novel protein. In exchange, Eleven Biotherapeutics will receive an undisclosed upfront payment, and is eligible to receive undisclosed development, regulatory and sales milestone payments as well as royalties on potential future sales commensurate with industry standards.

Dr Patrik De Haes, CEO of ThromboGenics, said: "This is an important step forward as we continue to build our ophthalmology franchise following the recent introduction of JETREA® for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA)/ vitreomacular traction (VMT) in the US and Europe. We are pleased to have signed this agreement with Eleven Biotherapeutics and we are confident that by utilizing their unique ability to design and optimize protein therapeutics we will generate an innovative protein therapeutic to address a novel target that we have identified. Our research suggests that protein therapeutics directed at this target could be used to treat a broad range of diabetic eye diseases including DME".

"Eleven's novel approach to designing protein therapeutics for ocular diseases, which has been demonstrated with EBI-005, our lead product candidate in Phase 1b clinical development for dry eye disease, will be applied to discover and optimize novel modulators of this evolving pathway which is central to ophthalmic disease," said Abbie Celniker, President and CEO of Eleven Biotherapeutics. "This collaboration validates Eleven's unique approach to rational protein engineering through novel structures, enhanced biophysical properties, and more effective targeting in disease pathways."

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 and Germany.  

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.

About Eleven Biotherapeutics

Eleven Biotherapeutics creates novel and differentiated biotherapeutics: first-of-a-kind protein-based drugs with significantly improved physical, pharmaceutical, and therapeutic benefits. The company's AMP-Rx™ product engine brings capabilities beyond conventional approaches for making protein therapeutics, opening up new territory for the products to have novel structures, enhanced biophysical properties, and more effective targeting in disease pathways. Eleven's success is built on designing proteins 'fit for purpose' that are rationally designed to have ideal therapeutic characteristics and result in best-in-class biotherapeutic products for a wide range of diseases. The Cambridge, Mass.-based company was founded in 2010 by life science investors Flagship Ventures and Third Rock Ventures and world-renowned scientific experts. For more information, please visit http://www.elevenbio.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
Wouter.piepers@thrombogenics.com
Dr. Patrik De Haes, CEO
+32-16-75-13-10
Patrik.dehaes@thrombogenics.com
Chris Buyse, CFO
+32-16-75-13-10
Chris.buyse@thrombogenics.com
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
David Dible/ Nina Enegren/ Sita Shah
Tel: +44-20-7638-9571  
sita.shah@citigatedr.co.uk
The Trout Group (US investor relations)
Todd James/ Simon Harnest
Tel: +1-646-378-2926
tjames@troutgroup.com

SOURCE ThromboGenics