Vitrectomy drug alternative continues to impress

The Phase IIb trial assessing the safety and efficacy of microplasmin in patients, showed complete resolution of vitreomacular traction or macular hole without need for vitrectomy surgery, according to a statement from the trial sponsor, ThromboGenics NV.

Dr Kirk Packo, Professor and Chairman at the Department of Ophthalmology, Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, US presented the six-month results of the randomized, double-masked, multicentre, dose-evaluation study at the meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

The results, consistent with the one-month follow-up data presented at the World Ophthalmology Congress in Hong Kong, demonstrated that a 125µg intravitreal dose of microplasmin treated the condition successfully, so that the need for vitrectomy was bypassed, in approximately one third of cases. Those patients who had achieved disease resolution at one month maintained this improvement at six months. At this time point, visual acuity in patients treated successfully with microplasmin was equal to that of patients who had undergone vitrectomy.

The Phase III trial programme, assessing microplasmin as a treatment for vitreomacular adhesion, is now being finalized. The trial will begin early next year.