ThromboGenics' Jetrea gets positive reimbursement opinion in France

Belgian biotech firm ThromboGenics (Euronext Brussels: THR) says that the Transparency Commission of the French National Health Authority (HAS) has issued a positive opinion for the reimbursement and hospital listing of Jetrea (ocriplasmin) by the French National Health Insurance.

The CT recommends Jetrea for the treatment of adult patients with vitreomacular traction, including when associated with macular hole of diameter less than or equal to 400 microns, for whom symptomatology does not require immediately a vitrectomy at the earlier stage of this disease. Those patients represent the vast majority (85%) of the total patient population covered by the approved label from European Medicines Agency last spring (The Pharma Letter March 18, 2013).

The CT assessment recognizes the medical benefit (Service Medical Rendu or SMR) of Jetrea, indicating that the drug becomes eligible for reimbursement in France. The assessment underlines the absence of clinically relevant alternatives to Jetrea in the proposed reimbursed indication. The CT assessment further highlights the importance of treating VMT early, from the diagnosis and/or when the patient first experiences metamorphopsia or other symptoms.