Microplasmin is a truncated and stable form of plasmin, a naturally occurring enzyme that dissolves protein formations that are crucial to blood clot (thrombus) formation. Similar protein formations are also seen linking the vitreous to the retina in the eye, which means that microplasmin has the potential to be used in the treatment of a number of important ophthalmic indications. ThromboGenics has exclusively in-licensed microplasmin from the Center For Molecular and Vascular Biology, KULeuven.

The Company has generated both clinical and preclinical data that have shown that the compound has high potential to be used in a range of significant indications including:

• Eye disease. ThromboGenics is developing microplasmin as a surgical adjunct for vitrectomy as well as a potential non-surgical treatment for a number of blinding eye diseases, such as macular holes and diabetic macular edema (DME). DME is a complication of diabetic retinopathy and is the leading cause of vision loss in these patients. Microplasmin, as a proteolytic enzyme, may be able to facilitate and in some cases replace vitrectomy and induce posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) by breaking down the protein structures which join the vitreous to the retina. Microplasmin therefore could offer a well tolerated and lower cost solution as compared to vitrectomy.

• Thrombotic disease. ThromboGenics believes that there is a substantial unmet clinical need for safer and more effective treatments for a number of cardiovascular diseases where thrombosis plays an important role. The Company is currently conducting clinical trials with microplasmin in stroke and peripheral vascular disease including arterial occlusion disease (PAOD) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).