First European Patient Treated in CABERNET Trial With Novel Treatment f...( Ophthalmic Clinic in Germany First ...)

Ophthalmic Clinic in Germany First in Europe To Treat Patients With New

Focused Radiation Therapy

LEIPZIG, Germany, November 29 /PRNewswire/ -- NeoVista, Inc. announced today that the first European patient has been treated in the company's pivotal global clinical trial for its novel beta radiation epiretinal therapy for the wet form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Wet AMD is the most progressive form of AMD and one of the leading causes of blindness in the industrialized world for patients over 50. Unlike the current standard of care which requires costly monthly eye injections, NeoVista's investigational therapy delivers a one-time dose of radiation providing a less invasive and potentially more cost-effective treatment option.

The procedure was performed as part of NeoVista's CABERNET (CNV Secondary to AMD Treated with BEta RaditioN Epiretinal Therapy) trial, which seeks to enroll a total of 450 patients (300 in the radiation treatment arm) in approximately 40 sites worldwide to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NeoVista's novel radiation therapy. Patients in the study receive a single treatment with NeoVista's targeted radiation in combination with an injection of Lucentis(R) at the time of radiation delivery to maximize immediate effect.

"We're excited to have the opportunity to try this innovative technique with our patients. NeoVista's targeted radiation treatment may provide us the ability to improve vision for the elderly and dramatically change their quality of life by eliminating frequent eye injections," said Christian Foja, MD Leipzig University Eye Hospital, who performed the procedure.

Peter Wiedemann, MD, who oversees the department at Leipzig University Eye Hospital, echoed Dr. Foja's sentiments. "NeoVista is developing a promising new wet AMD treatment that could also be a cost-effective alternative in Europe," said Dr. Wiedemann. "And without having to perform regular, monthl
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