New Paper in Cell Highlights the Potential Role of TB-403 (Anti-PlGF) in the Treatment of Medulloblastoma, a Pediatric Brain Tumor

LEUVEN, Belgium, February 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

ThromboGenics NV (Euronext Brussels: THR), and co-development partner BioInvent International AB (OMXS: BINV), announce today the publication of a paper in the prestigious journal Cell, highlighting the potential of TB-403 to improve the treatment of medulloblastoma, the most common brain tumor in children.

The Cell publication highlights for the first time a new mechanism of action, showing that PlGF plays a vital role in the brain and that its expression is required for the growth and spread of medulloblastoma.

The novel positive findings in this paper provide evidence that could warrant further development of TB-403 as one of the first targeted therapies to treat this childhood cancer. TB-403 is a monoclonal antibody against placental growth factor (PlGF). PIGF is a naturally occurring protein that belongs to the family of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) that promote the formation of blood vessels.

TB-403 was in-licensed by ThromboGenics from the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), where the therapeutic potential of anti-PlGF agents to treat cancer was first developed by Prof. Peter Carmeliet at the University of Leuven, Belgium.

This Cell paper is reporting the findings of new pre-clinical research performed at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Harvard (Boston), in collaboration with the team of Prof Peter Carmeliet.

With an emerging ophthalmologic franchise, Thrombogenics is also evaluating the role of TB-403 for ophthalmic indications.

About ThromboGenics

ThromboGenics is an integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative ophthalmic medicines. The Company's lead product, JETREA^® (ocriplasmin), has been approved by the US FDA for the treatment of symptomatic VMA and was launched in January 2013.

In March 2012, ThromboGenics signed a strategic partnership with Alcon (Novartis) for the commercialization of JETREA^® outside the United States. Under this agreement, ThromboGenics could receive up to a total of €375 million in up-front and milestone payments. It will receive significant royalties from Alcon's net sales of JETREA^®. ThromboGenics and Alcon intend to share the costs equally of developing JETREA^® for a number of new vitreoretinal indications.

The JETREA European Marketing Authorisation Application is currently under review by the European Medicines Agency. Following the positive CHMP recommendation, a final decision by the European Commission on European approval is expected in the first half of 2013.

ThromboGenics is also further exploring anti-PIGF (Placental Growth Factor), formerly referred to as TB-403, for the treatment of ophthalmic indications.

ThromboGenics is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Iselin, NJ (US) and Dublin, Ireland. The Company is listed on the NYSE Euronext Brussels exchange under the symbol THR. More information is available at http://www.thrombogenics.com.

About BioInvent

BioInvent International AB, listed on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm (BINV), is a research-based pharmaceutical company focused on discovery and development of innovative antibody-based drugs against cancer. The Company's pipeline currently includes three product candidates for the treatment of cancer.

The company's competitive position is underpinned by n-CoDeR^®, a proprietary antibody development platform. The scope and strength of this platform is also used to develop antibody-based drugs in collaboration with partners who finance the development of the new drug, and provide BioInvent the right to milestone payments and royalties on sales. These partners include Bayer HealthCare, Daiichi Sankyo, Mitsubishi Tanabe and Servier.  More information is available at http://www.bioinvent.com.

Important information about forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking". Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and, accordingly, entail and are influenced by various risks and uncertainties. The Company therefore cannot provide any assurance that such forward-looking statements will materialize and does not assume an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason. Additional information concerning risks and uncertainties affecting the business and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement is contained in the Company's Annual Report.

This press release does not constitute an offer or invitation for the sale or purchase of securities or assets of ThromboGenics in any jurisdiction.  No securities of ThromboGenics may be offered or sold within the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or in compliance with an exemption therefrom, and in accordance with any applicable U.S. state securities laws.

For further information please contact:

ThromboGenics:

Wouter Piepers, Global Head of Corporate Communications
+32-16-75-13-10 / +32-478-33-56-32
[email protected]

Dr. Patrik De Haes, CEO
+32-16-75-13-10
[email protected]

Chris Buyse, CFO
+32-16-75-13-10
[email protected]

BioInvent International AB:

Cristina Glad, D.Sc., President & CEO
+46-(0)708-16-85-70
[email protected]

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

David Dible/ Nina Enegren/ Sita Shah
Tel: +44-(0)20-7638-9571
[email protected]

The Trout Group (US investor relations)

Todd James/ Simon Harnest
Tel: +1-646-378-2926
[email protected]

SOURCE ThromboGenics NV