SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Aug. 17, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Ocular Therapeutics Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Advanced Refractive Technologies, (ART) (OTCBB:ARFR), announces that an important early milestone in its development of a treatment for age related macular degeneration (AMD) has been achieved.
Completion of this important phase of the manufacturing process for LD22-4 has occurred and pre-clinical testing will be initiated shortly. Production of recombinant LD22-4 has proven to be efficient and economical, employing FDA approved protocols suitable for preparing the compound for future clinical tests. The ability to produce the LD22-4 at these levels, appropriate for pharmaceutical distribution at low cost, is one of the significant advantages of LD22-4 when compared to competing therapies.
"This important early step has given added impetus to rapidly bring this potentially breakthrough agent to the ophthalmology market," said Randy Bailey, President and CEO of ART. "We are now ready to begin preclinical trials of LD22-4 and are excited to test the capabilities of this new entity," he added.
The safety and efficacy testing, including toxicology testing and the establishment of therapeutic dosage, will be performed by Charles River Laboratories. Charles River Laboratories, Boston, Massachusetts, has committed to initiate and complete these tests. Charles River Laboratories is a world leader in toxicologic and specialty pathology. This pre-clinical phase, which is currently funded, will take twelve months to complete, at which time human clinical trials will begin.
"LD22-4 targets the cause of AMD via its small size and novel characteristics. We expect that it will be amenable to alternative and less invasive methods of administration," said Dr. Eugene Levin, who is leading the development of LD22-4.
About AMD
AMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss and blindness in the adult population with more than 1.6 million existing cases and approximately 200,000 new cases each year in the United States alone. Because AMD generally affects adults over 50 years of age, the National Eye Institute predicts that the incidence of AMD will increase dramatically as the baby-boom generation ages and life expectancy increases. Although there is a predicted market size of between 1 and 2 billion dollars a year, the current treatment options for wet AMD remain limited.
About Charles River
From its headquarters near Boston, MA, Charles River Laboratories' 8,000 employees serve clients in more than 50 countries. They are a global provider of solutions that advance the drug discovery and development process. Their leading-edge products and services are designed to enable their clients to bring drugs to market faster and more efficiently. Backed by their rigorous, best-in-class procedures and their proven data collection, analysis and reporting capabilities, their products and services are organized into three categories spanning every step of the drug development pipeline: Research Models and Services, Preclinical Services, and Clinical Services.
Charles River's Customers
Their customer base includes every major pharmaceutical and biotechnology company worldwide as well as leading academic institutions and government research centers.
About Advanced Refractive Technologies, Inc.
Advanced Refractive Technologies, Inc. is an ophthalmology development company focused on the development and marketing of innovative ophthalmic applications that will result in faster, safer and more effective procedures in two of the largest surgical markets in the world: corrective refractive surgery and cataract surgery, as well as innovative drugs for glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Advanced Refractive Technologies is currently in the process of developing their Accupulse, a next generation cataract emulsifier, which utilizes the company's proprietary waterjet technology. The Accupulse cataract emulsifier, currently under development, is a device that uses pulsed waterjet technology to remove cataracts -- the most frequently performed surgical procedure in the world. For more information on Advanced Refractive Technologies, please visit its website at http://www.advancedrefractive.com.
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