Integrated biopharmaceutical company ThromboGenics has obtained Health Canada approval for Jetrea (ocriplasmin) for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA).
Launch of the drug in Canada will be conducted by Alcon, ThromboGenics' partner which holds the Jetrea commercialization rights outside the US.
ThromboGenics CEO Dr Patrik De Haes said the priority review approval of Jetrea in Canada, the first market outside the US and Europe, is further evidence that all stakeholders are committed to making the first pharmacological drug available quickly to as many patients as possible.
"Symptomatic VMA is increasingly being recognized as an important sight-threatening condition that can lead to distorted vision, and even central blindness," De Haes added.
"Canada is an important market and we are confident that the Alcon Canada team will be able to grasp this opportunity. We are looking forward to announcing further approvals of JETREA in other markets shortly."
Containing the active substance ocriplasmin, Jetrea is administered through a one-time, single intravitreal injection to treat adults with vitreomacular traction (VMT).
