ThromboGenics

09/09/2010

TIME: 17:36:34

LAST

17.57 €

OPEN

17.60 €

CHANGE

-0.45 %


I Our Strategic Focus I Eye Disease I Cardiovascular Disease I Cancer

Eye Disease

ThromboGenics is focused on diseases which occur at the back of the eye including vitreomacular adhesion (traction), diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. These disorders are difficult to treat because of the location of the diseased tissue and the limited understanding of the disease, leading to significant morbidity including blindness.

Focal Vitreomacular Adhesion

Focal vitreomacular adhesion (or traction) is a condition in which the vitreous gel has an abnormally strong adhesion to the retina. Over time, the gel tends to pull forward and can cause vessel and retinal distortion causing decreased vision. In addition numerous conditions are characterized by focal vitreomacular adhesion. Specifically, focal vitreomacular adhesion may result in macular hole formation, and some forms of cystoid macular edema are due to focal vitreomacular adhesion. Additionally, focal vitreomacular adhesion is associated with worse prognosis in various conditions including Diabetic Retinopathy and exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), the diagnosis is more frequent and more accurate. Careful examination and early diagnosis are important because vitrectomy and release macular traction may improve visual acuity in most cases. The only currently available treatment option for vitreomacular adhesion is a vitrectomy, ie a surgical procedure during which the vitreous fluid is removed (the vitreous fluid is a gel-like substance in the center of the eye). This procedure is performed to induce a posterior vitreous detachment. In the USA, an estimated 250,000 procedures are performed annually. On a global basis, it is estimated that 600,000 vitrectomies take place annually.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR)

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness. It occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels inside the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. DR is the most common cause of blindness in people of working-age in most westernised societies. Diabetes affects around 180 million people worldwide and these numbers are expected to double by 2030. Around 40% will develop some form of DR. There are an estimated 75 million people with DR worldwide.

The most common treatment for DR is laser surgery. However, if the bleeding is severe (e.g. in the case of a vitreous hemorrhage), a surgical procedure, called a vitrectomy may be needed.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration is a degenerative condition of the macula (central retina). It is the most common cause of vision loss in the age group 50 or older, with the disease affecting approximately 15 million Americans.

Currently, the most common treatment option include anti-angiogenic drugs -primarily agents that interfere with activity of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)- that stop the growth and leakage from abnormal blood vessels.

I top

Cardiovascular Disease

Thrombosis is the formation or presence of a blood clot inside a blood vessel or cavity of the heart. The formation of a blood clot is induced by the clumping of blood platelets followed by the formation of a fibrin network.

The main diseases which are caused by thrombosis are described below.

Stroke

Stroke is caused by a blockage or a rupture of the arteries of the brain, which deprives the brain of oxygen causing severe neurological damage and death.

Stroke is the third most frequent cause of death in the western world. It is estimated that over 2 million people suffer a stroke annually. Mortality is high with 20 per cent of patients dying, whilst the majority of the remainder is left permanently disabled.

According to the American Heart Association, the estimated direct and indirect cost of stroke in 2007 was $62.7 billion. Drug expenditure was estimated at approximately $1.0 billion. The USA National Stroke Association has estimated that the average cost per patient for the first 90 days of treatment ranges from $15,000 to $35,000. Thus, medication that improves patient outcome and reduces the need for rehabilitation could bring a net benefit to the healthcare system.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is due to low blood flow conditions, usually in the deep veins of the leg or pelvis. DVT is a problem associated with immobility. DVT occurs in 40-80 per cent of patients who undergo total knee replacement and do not receive proper rehabilitation. DVT affects approximately 0.2 per cent of the population, mostly adults aged over 60.

The detachment of a DVT can lead to a pulmonary embolism whereby the clot detaches and blocks the blood flow to the lungs. In the USA, pulmonary embolism is the third most common cause of death, with at least 650,000 cases annually.

VTE (Venous thromboembolism) is used to refer collectively to DVT and pulmonary embolism.

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD)

PAOD refers to the partial or complete obstruction of a peripheral artery, usually in the leg, that restricts normal blood flow. According to the American Heart Association, PAOD affects an estimated 27 million individuals in the USA and Europe. PAOD is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute estimates that 1.1 million Americans suffer from AMI (heart attack) each year, of which nearly half are fatal.

Coronary artery disease (CAD)/Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

CAD is caused by the build-up of a plaque on the wall of a coronary artery. A blood clot (thrombosis) can form on the plaque blocking the blood flow, which results in a condition called acute coronary syndrome (ACS). If the blood clot blocks blood flow completely, this leads to an AMI (heart attack). CAD afflicts 13.2 million Americans and is the leading cause of mortality in the cardiovascular disease category.

Atrial fibrillation (AF)

AF is caused by uncoordinated contraction of the upper chambers of the heart, that could lead to the formation of a clot, which may travel to the brain and cause an ischemic stroke. According to the American Heart Association about 15 per cent of strokes occur in people with AF. Around 2.2 million patients suffer from AF in the USA, resulting in over 40,000 deaths per annum.

I top

Cancer

Cancer is a leading cause of death globally and the second leading cause of death in the developed world after cardiovascular diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 11 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year, and according to the American Cancer Society, there were 1.4 million new cases in 2007 in the United States alone.

All cancers are characterised by abnormal or uncontrolled cell division and proliferation. Conventional treatments for cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy. Despite major advances in understanding of the molecular basis of cancer, few treatments have been developed to specifically target tumor cells.

One class of cancer therapeutics with particular promise is inhibitors of angiogenesis. Angiogenesis inhibitors work by preventing the growth of the vasculature in tumors, limiting the supply of oxygen and nutrients required for the tumor to grow. When combined with other drugs, these compounds have also been shown to be effective methods of treating certain types of cancer, e.g. colorectal cancer. Avastin from Genentech is currently the only anti-angiogenic compound on the market, with sales of $2.3 billion in 2007.

I top

Last update: December 7, 2009

Inspired by Echo