NeoVista® to Begin Clinical Study to Assess the Genotyping of Patients with Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration Utilizing the MaculaRisk® Test

Newark, CA (PRWEB) August 29, 2010

NeoVista, Inc. announced today the start of their next clinical research project, the GRAPE Study (Genetic Risk Assessment of Age Related Macular Degeneration Patients treated with Epimacular Brachytherapy). The GRAPE study is a sub-study of the ongoing MERITAGE Study (Macular EpiRetinal Brachytherapy In Treated Age Related Macular Degeneration Patients) where subjects will be screened utilizing the MaculaRisk® screening test. The MERITAGE study is designed to research subjects who have been previously treated with anti-VEGF therapy and who continue to experience active disease/. Subjects in this study are treated with NeoVista's investigational device, receiving a target dose of radiation to the choroidal neovascular lesion in their retina.

Data from this genetic testing will potentially help researchers understand how the genetic markers tested for utilizing the MaculaRisk test correlate to a subjects' response to anti-VEGF therapy, and simultaneously investigating whether there is a link with a patient's genetic pre-disposition for developing AMD and the treatment effect of the novel NeoVista epimacular brachytherapy device.

"This is a promising sub-study for NeoVista to explore in a time when personalized medicine is gaining momentum", stated Jeffrey Nau, Vice President of Medical and Clinical Affairs for NeoVista. "Genetic testing can identify individuals with an increased risk for developing certain diseases and by better understanding the link between genetic makeup and treatment effect, we can begin to develop individualized treatment approaches."

"This study is of particular interest to NeoVista because of the fact so many patients' disease continues to advance despite numerous anti-VEGF injections", stated John N. Hendrick, President and CEO of NeoVista. "The MERITAGE Study is treating these patients. Perhaps the results will lead to answers regarding the primary questions that exist in this patient population: 'Is there a common genetic link to those patients who do not respond to anti-VEGF therapy?' and, 'Do specific genotypes respond to Epimacular Brachytherapy.' We are excited about the potential to learn more of the genetic relationship of therapeutic options for this patient population."

Dr. Brent Zanke, Chief Medical Officer for ArcticDX, stated, "Variations in the genes appear to lead to increased free radical production, oxidative damage, and apoptosis. The retinal pigment epithelium has been shown to be especially susceptible to oxidative damage."

The GRAPE Study will look at four specific, well-characterized genetic polymorphisms - Compliment Factor H, Compliment Component 3, Mitochondrial ND2 gene, and the age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 gene (ARMS 2).

NeoVista plans to present interim study data towards the end of 2010.

About NeoVista, Inc.
NeoVista, Inc. is a privately held medical device company based in Newark, California. The company's first commercially distributed product, the VIDION® ANV® Therapy System, is cleared for commercial sale in all markets that accept a CE Mark and is currently being utilized for the treatment of wet AMD in specific countries in Europe. For more information about the company, or this novel therapy, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.neovistainc.com.

About ArcticDX
ArcticDx Inc. is a private Canadian company that is developing two molecular tests, Colo Risk™, for Colorectal Cancer and Macula Risk™ for Age-related Macular Degeneration. For more information about the company, please visit the company's website at http://www.arcticdx.com.

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