EYE TECH CARE Launches Its Operations in China as Part of Its International Expansion

RILLIEUX-LA-PAPE, France

EYE TECH CARE SA (ETC), a company developing and marketing equipment for non-invasive medical treatment in ophthalmology, today announced the launch of the approval process in China for EyeOP1®, its innovative system for glaucoma treatment, which has already received Medical Device classification from the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA).

Following on from Europe, where EyeOP1® is already on the market, and the USA, the main target market for EYE TECH CARE, China represents a key market for the company: 22 million people suffer from glaucoma in the country, representing 28% of people involved with the pathology worldwide (MarketScope 2014). Many of these people have advanced glaucomas, requiring surgery, which may later result in complications linked to the complexity of the surgery’s procedure and conditions since the latter needs to be carried out in specialist care units by surgeons who have received special training.

EyeOP1®, the innovative medical solution developed by ETC for the treatment of glaucoma, offers an alternative to surgery. It is intended for all patients suffering from uncontrolled glaucoma, irrespective of prior treatment, and perfectly meets the needs of the Chinese market. An outpatient procedure, the treatment produces a significant reduction in intraocular pressure. Based on the principle of a plasty, or surgical treatment, of the ciliary body by ultrasound, it produces a partial, gentle and precise coagulation of this area of the eye to reduce production of aqueous humour. Easily accessible for practitioners and quick to carry out, the treatment offers excellent tolerance levels at an affordable cost to the patient.

Dietrich Wolf, CEO of ETC, commented: “The reception for our EyeOP1® system from the heads of ophthalmology services in major Chinese hospitals has been very encouraging. The number of patients and surgical interventions in China is remarkable. This environment is a promising one in our search for clinical expertise for future partnerships as part of the clinical trials required for approval.”

In order to develop its business in China, ETC has drawn on a highly-qualified network of experts and local consultants specialising in the approval process, clinical markets and commercial development.

EYE TECH CARE was recently selected as part of a delegation of French companies developing innovative technologies to take part in Sino-European BioPartnering in Shanghai www.bp-china.com, where its presentation of its strategy to Chinese investors generated significant interest.

About glaucoma
Glaucoma, the result of increased pressure in the eye, affects 120 million people worldwide and is the 2nd largest cause of blindness. This degenerative disease can result in damage to the optic nerve, generally associated with an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), requiring management throughout the patient’s lifetime. The treatments currently available include medication, laser surgery, whose results may fall short of the required level, and conventional invasive surgery, where the balance of risks and benefits must be carefully weighed for each patient. Glaucoma represents a market of €4.6 billion, with average growth of 5% per year, due to an ageing population and better diagnosis.

About EyeOP1®
EyeOP1® uses innovative technology to partially deactivate the processes in the ciliary glands that produce aqueous humour. The precision of this targeted treatment allows IOP to be reduced, after just five minutes, whilst protecting surrounding structures. EyeOP1® has been subject to clinical trials throughout Europe, and more than 1,500 patients have been treated since it was awarded CE marking in June 2011.

About EYE TECH CARE
EYE TECH CARE SA develops and markets non-invasive therapeutic medical devices for ophthalmology. EyeOP1® is the company’s first medical device for the treatment of glaucoma, a degenerative disease of the optic nerve associated with raised intraocular pressure (IOP), which mainly affects people aged over 45. Glaucoma and ocular hypertension affect some 120 million people around the world, but are diagnosed in only about 30% of cases.
EYE TECH CARE seeks to respond to the needs of this fast-growing market by offering treatments with a good balance of effectiveness and safety.
For more information: http://www.eyetechcare.com

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