NEW YORK, NY, USA I August 29, 2013 I Ophthotech Corporation today announced the initiation of patient enrollment in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of its lead compound FovistaTM, an anti-platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), which is being studied in combination with anti-VEGF therapy for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).

The announcement marks the treatment of the first patient in the global Fovista Phase 3 clinical program, which consists of three clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of the Fovista/anti-VEGF combination. The three trials are expected to enroll a total of approximately 1,866 patients at up to approximately 225 centers internationally.

About Ophthotech

Ophthotech is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of novel therapeutics to treat diseases of the eye. The company’s most advanced product candidate is Fovista™ anti-PDGF therapy, which it is developing for use in combination with anti-VEGF drugs that represent the standard of care for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. Wet age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in patients over the age of 55 in the United States and the European Union. For more information, please visit www.ophthotech.com.

SOURCE: Ophthotech