European Commission approves Jetrea (Alcon/Novartis) to treat Vitreomacular Traction

Alcon,a division of Novartis, has announced that the European Commission has approved Jetrea (intravitreal injection ocriplasmin) 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. 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 acquired the rights to commercialize Jetrea outside the United States from the Belgian biopharmaceutical company ThromboGenics, which retains the rights to commercialize the drug in the US. On 17th October 2012, Jetrea was approved in the US for the treatment of patients with symptomatic Vitreomacular Adhesion.