BUSINESS WIRE
BEDFORD, Mass. --(Business Wire)--
Terry Kim, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology at Duke University Eye Center,
performed the first procedures using the ReSure
Sealant on his cataract patients in Durham, North Carolina. The
ReSure Sealant is the first FDA-approved sealant for ophthalmic use to
seal incisions following cataract surgery.
"This novel technology represents a paradigm shift in wound closure for
our patients. For quite some time, sutures were the only approved option
for certainty of wound closure, but they can produce undesirable adverse
events and require removal," stated Dr. Kim. "The ReSure Sealant not
only seals incisions better than sutures with far fewer side effects, it
also provides physicians with peace of mind that their wounds are
secure."
The ReSure Sealant is a patented polyethylene glycol-based (PEG)
hydrogel which is indicated for intraoperative management of clear
corneal incisions (up to 3.5mm) with a demonstrated would leak for which
a temporary dry surface can be achieved in order to prevent
postoperative fluid egress from such incisions following cataract
surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) placeent in adults. Applied as a
liquid, the material gels on the surface of the eye within seconds to
seal the wound and prevent fluid egress. The material is designed to
stay on the incision in the immediate post-operative period when wounds
are most vulnerable, after which it gently sloughs off in the patient's
tears.
"We are thrilled that we are able to provide ophthalmologists a more
reliable and effective method to seal clear corneal cataract incisions,"
stated Amar Sawhney, PhD, President and CEO of Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
"We look forward to bringing the product to surgeons nationwide."
About Cataract Surgery:
Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgery in the United
States, with approximately 3.5 million procedures conducted annually
(Market Scope, 2013). Clear corneal cataract wound leaks are widely
thought to be a contributing factor to some post-surgical complications.
Presently, ophthalmologists use stromal hydration to close these wounds,
however, recent reports in the literature suggest this method of wound
closure may not be adequate to provide a watertight seal.1
About Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.:
Ocular
Therapeutix, Inc. is a privately held company based in Bedford, MA,
focused on the development and commercialization of ophthalmic
therapeutic products using its proprietary hydrogel technology. In
addition to the ReSure Sealant, Ocular Therapeutix is developing
drug-eluting intracanalicular plugs for treatment of post-operative pain
and inflammation and glaucoma, and injectable depots for back-of-the-eye
diseases.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Any statements in this news release about future expectations, plans and
prospects for Ocular Therapeutix constitute forward-looking statements.
Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such
forward-looking statements. Ocular Therapeutix anticipates that
subsequent events and developments may cause its views to change.
However, while Ocular Therapeutix may elect to update these
forward-looking statements in the future, it specifically disclaims any
obligation to do so.