EU approval for Alcon’s eye drug, says Novartis

Hannah Blake

pharmaphorum

The European Commission has approved Alcon’s Jetrea intravitreal injection in the EU for the treatment of vitreomacular traction (VMT), including when associated with macular hole of diameter less than or equal to 400 microns. Jetrea is the first and only eye drug to treat sight-threatening vitreomacular traction and macular hole.

This approval follows the positive recommendation of Jetrea intravitreal injection (ocriplasmin) by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency back in January 2013.

"The approval of Jetrea by the European Commission is a major breakthrough for people with VMT and eye care professionals who, until now, have only had surgical options available to treat this debilitating eye disease. Now they can intervene early with a one-time injection of Jetrea. Jetrea meets a genuine unmet patient need and demonstrates Alcon's commitment to bringing innovative eye care treatments to people in Europe and throughout the world."

Stuart Raetzman, Area President Europe, Middle East and Africa at Alcon.

VMT is often responsible for progressive sight-threatening symptoms and irreversible vision loss and is estimated to affect between 250,000 to 300,000 people in Europe alone.

Alcon is the global leader in eye care and a division of Novartis.