OptiMedica’s Laser Cataract Surgery System to Be Featured in Three Clinical Presentations at ESCRS 2010

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global ophthalmic device company OptiMedica Corp. has announced that clinical results for its laser cataract surgical system will be the subject of three presentations at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons annual meeting in Paris, September 4 – 8. The Catalys™ Precision Laser System, which combines a femtosecond laser, integrated Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging and OptiMedica’s breakthrough pattern scanning technology, was developed from the ground up to dramatically improve the cataract procedure by replacing its most technically demanding and manual steps. The ESCRS presentations will explore the Catalys system’s ability to deliver marked improvement at various critical points during the procedure.

“The Use of OCT-guided Femtosecond Laser to Facilitate Cataract Nuclear Disassembly and Aspiration”

Presentation details are as follows.

• “Prospective Randomized Study of Size and Shape Accuracy of OptiMedica Femtosecond Laser Capsulotomy vs. Manual Capsulorrhexis”
  Presented by Juan F. Batlle, M.D., Centro Laser, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Sunday, Sept. 5 at 2:36 p.m. in Salle Ternes – Level 1

• “The Role of Precise Anterior Capsulotomies in Premium Lens Performance Objectives”
  Presented by John A. Vukich, M.D., assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, on Sunday, Sept. 5 at 3 p.m. on Salle Ternes – Level 1

• “The Use of OCT-guided Femtosecond Laser to Facilitate Cataract Nuclear Disassembly and Aspiration”
  Presented by Douglas D. Koch, M.D., professor and the Allen, Mosbacher and Law Chair in Ophthalmology Baylor College of Medicine, Cullen Eye Institute, on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 5:30 p.m. in Salle Maillot – Level 2

Drs. Batlle, Vukich and Koch are members of OptiMedica’s 12-person Cataract Advisory Board, a group of esteemed cataract experts from around the world who have worked closely with the company during every step of the Catalys Precision Laser System’s development. Together, the board members have treated hundreds of pre-clinical eyes, and many – including the ESCRS presenters – have participated in institutional review board (IRB) approved clinical studies.

“Years in development, OptiMedica’s Catalys Precision Laser System has been the subject of significant clinical study, and we are confident that the data being unveiled at ESCRS will truly set us apart in this incredibly exciting therapeutic area,” said Mark J. Forchette, OptiMedica president and chief executive officer. “OptiMedica’s focus has always been on developing high-performance technology that delivers exceptional precision and control to the ophthalmic community, and we have proven our ability to do this in retina and glaucoma with the PASCAL® Method of photocoagulation. Moving forward with a singular focus on cataract, we expect to repeat our success with the Catalys system.”

News of the upcoming ESCRS presentations follows OptiMedica’s August 10 announcement regarding the sale of its retina and glaucoma business to Topcon Corp. The strategic move has positioned OptiMedica to focus exclusively on advanced technologies for the treatment of cataract. Its first cataract product offering, the Catalys Precision Laser System, is not currently for sale in the United States. OptiMedica expects to launch Catalys worldwide in 2011.

About OptiMedica

OptiMedica Corp. is a Silicon Valley-based global ophthalmic device company dedicated to developing performance-driven technologies that improve patient outcomes. Now exclusively focused in the cataract therapeutic area, the company previously developed and commercialized the PASCAL Method of retinal photocoagulation, which was acquired by Topcon Corp. in August 2010. Founded in 2004, OptiMedica is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., with international offices in Singapore. The company is funded by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Alloy Ventures, DAG Ventures, BlackRock Private Equity Partners and Bio*One Capital. For more information, please visit www.optimedica.com.