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QLT PHOTOTHERAPEUTICS INC. - PHASE III TRIAL OF LIGHT-ACTIVATED DRUG COMMENCES FOR TREATMENT OF THE LEADING CAUSE OF BLINDNESS AMONG Elderly
VANCOUVER, ATLANTA, Dec. 12 /CNW-PRN/ - QLT PhotoTherapeutics Inc. and
CIBA Vision announced today that they have treated the first patient in their co-sponsored, Phase III, multi-center clinical trials of the
light-activated drug, Benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD-MA verteporfin)),
as a potential treatment for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
Trials will commence over the next few months at 19 clinical sites
throughout Canada, Europe and the United States.
AMD is the leading cause of blindness in persons over the age of 50. Approximately 200,000 new cases of the severe form of the disease are diagnosed annually. Currently, there is no adequate treatment available for 80 percent to 90 percent of patients.
``There is a tremendous unmet need for more effective treatments for
AMD,'' says Dr. Julia Levy, President and CEO of QLT PhotoTherapeutics
Inc. ``With BPD-MA now in Phase III clinical trials, we have reached a
critical milestone in the commercial development of this drug for a
debilitating and widespread disease condition.''
Patients with the severe form of AMD experience the rapid growth of
abnormal blood vessels under the central retina. These abnormal vessels leak fluid causing scarring and an accelerated loss of visual acuity. Severe vision loss typically occurs over a two to three year period.
Results of Phase I/II clinical trials released last Spring showed
partial or complete closure of diseased blood vessels associated with
Age-Related Macular Degeneration and no loss in visual acuity after a
single treatment with BPD-MA.
``We are very encouraged by the results of this earlier trial,'' says
Luzi von Bidder, President of CIBA Vision's worldwide Ophthalmics
business unit. ``Researchers who took part in that study expressed
optimism that BPD-MA will provide a selective modality for the treatment of this disease condition. We are optimistic that the Phase III study now underway will confirm that view.''
CIBA Vision is a global leader in research, development and
manufacturing of optical and ophthalmic products and services, including soft contact lenses, lens care products and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. A division of CIBA, a leading worldwide biological and chemical group based in Basle, Switzerland, CIBA Vision markets products worldwide, generating sales in excess of one billion Swiss francs. In addition to its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., CIBA Vision has offices in nearly 40 countries.
QLT PhotoTherapeutics Inc. is a world leader in the development and
commercialization of proprietary pharmaceutical products for
Photodynamic therapy, an emerging medical therapy that utilizes
light-activated drugs in the treatment of cancer, diseases of the eye,
and other medical conditions.
The Company is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the trading
symbol ``QLTIF'' and on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading
symbol ``QLT.''
The foregoing information contains forward-looking statements, which
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that
may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements.
Such factors include, among others, those described in the Company's
Annual Information Form, or Form 10-K, as amended.
SOURCE QLT PhotoTherapeutics Inc.
-0- 12/12/96
/CONTACT: Investor Relations Contacts - Tamara Hicks, Manager,
Corporate Communications, QLT PhotoTherapeutics Inc., (604) 872-7881,
1-800-663-5486; or Jeff Callender, Manager, Communications, CIBA Vision Ophthalmics, (770) 418-3656. Media Contacts - Lorraine Wilson or Karen Cook Boas, James Hoggan and Associates, (604) 739-7500, e-mail: lwilson(at)hoggan.com or kcook(at)hoggan.com/
(QLT. QLTIF)
CO: QLT PhotoTherapeutics Inc. ST: British Columbia, Georgia IN:
MTC SU:
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