Avedro, Inc. today announced it has signed a definitive agreement with
Swiss-based Peschke Meditrade GmbH to acquire the rights to its Phase
III studies of Corneal Collagen Crosslinking for the treatment of
progressive keratoconus and post LASIK ectasia. The two randomized,
controlled, multi-site clinical trials are designed to assess the safety
and efficacy of riboflavin/ultraviolet-A light for halting the
progression of these degenerative disorders and the accompanying decline
in patient’s visual acuity.
“Collagen crosslinking has been
accepted as an important advance in the treatment of keratoconus by
surgeons around the world. I am very excited that the experienced team
at Avedro is taking over the US clinical trials initiated by my company
and completing this important work”
“Since these trials were initiated, over 300 subjects were treated with
corneal collagen crosslinking. Avedro now looks forward to closing the
follow-up phase of the study and completing the necessary steps to
introduce this exciting technology into the US,” said David Muller, PhD,
President and CEO of Avedro.
Corneal crosslinking combines the application of riboflavin with
ultraviolet-A light. Together, these increase corneal strength and
stability by inducing new crosslinks between or within collagen fibers.
In multiple international clinical trials, crosslinking has been shown
to halt the progression of keratoconus and ectasia and to enhance the
biomechanical stability of the cornea. Crosslinking is now approved for
use Internationally outside the US. “Collagen crosslinking has been
accepted as an important advance in the treatment of keratoconus by
surgeons around the world. I am very excited that the experienced team
at Avedro is taking over the US clinical trials initiated by my company
and completing this important work,” comments Rudi Peschke, CEO of
Peschke Meditrade GmbH.