Jetrea launches in Canada

Leuven, Belgium-Alcon Laboratories Inc. has launched ocriplasmin, its treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), in Canada.

Canada is the first market where ocriplasmin (Jetrea) has been launched outside the United States and Europe.

Health Canada approved the treatment in August following priority review.

Alcon, a division of Novartis, acquired the rights to commercialize the treatment outside the United States in March 2012. It launched the drug in the United Kingdom-its first European market-in April, and was then followed by launches in Germany, Denmark, Findlay, Norway, and Sweden.

ThromboGenics NV is commercializing the drug in the United States, having launched it in January.

“The launch of (ocriplasmin) in Canada . . . is another important step in the global roll out of this innovative new drug for the treatment of symptomatic VMA,” said Patrik De Haes, MD, chief executive officer of ThromboGenics. “We are looking forward to working with Alcon as it continues to roll out (the treatment).”

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