November 13, 2013

BioTissue® Introduces the Next Generation of Prokera® Biologic Corneal Bandage Devices at the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2013 Annual Meeting

Prokera® Slim and Prokera® Plus provide expanded “active healing” treatment options for mild-to-moderate and severe ocular surface conditions 

MIAMI, Fla., November 13, 2013 – BioTissue®, an ophthalmic biologic therapeutics company, today announced the introduction of two next-generation Prokera® Biologic Corneal Bandage devices.  The clinical advantages of new Prokera® Slim and Prokera® Plus in corneal wound healing applications will be highlighted in the Company’s exhibit booth [#117] and in a sponsored educational symposium at the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2013 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, November 16-19.

Prokera® is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared therapeutic device that reduces inflammation and promotes scar-less healing.

“We are very pleased to introduce these new Prokera® products and expand the therapeutic options in ocular surface regeneration, across the full spectrum of severity, available to ophthalmologists and their patients,” said Tom Daniells, Chief Commercial Officer of BioTissue®. “The growing Prokera® family is the culmination of 15 years of clinical experience in more than 150,000 successful human transplantations, backed by 25 years of government-funded research and over 300 peer-reviewed publications.”

Innovative Additions to the Prokera® Family

New Prokera® Slim with ComfortRing™ Technology was designed with a slim profile that contours to the ocular surface, moves with the eye, and maximizes amniotic membrane contact with the cornea, limbus, and limbal stem cells, providing  clinical benefits  and maximizing patient comfort.

“Prokera® Slim is ideal for mild-to-moderate ocular surface conditions,” said Preeya K. Gupta, MD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Duke Eye Center.  “This new design facilitates our ability to deliver the benefits of amniotic tissue-mediated active healing to patients with microbial or HSV keratitis, recurrent corneal erosions, or corneal abrasions, with a quick, in-office application.”

New Prokera® Plus incorporates multiple layers of amniotic membrane that make it suitable for therapeutic applications requiring longer biologic action and durability on the ocular surface.  It is recommended for use in severe indications such as chemical burns, Stevens Johnson Syndrome, and severe corneal ulcers.

Original Prokera® is recommended for patients with moderate to severe indications such as neuropathic PED, severe infectious keratitis, and post-DSEK for bullous keratopathy.

“BioTissue®’s Prokera® family of products allows you to match the right therapy to the right patient,” said Neel R. Desai, MD, Director of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, The Eye Institute of West Florida.  “These new additions to the Prokera® line are truly innovative technology that provides superior therapeutic outcomes and a more optimal patient experience.”

AAO Symposium

Both Drs. Gupta and Desai will speak at a BioTissue®-sponsored educational symposium, “New Advances in Treating Ocular Surface Diseases Without Scarring”, on Sunday, November 17.  The symposium, which features a live demonstration, will be chaired by Christopher J. Rapuano, MD, Director of Corneal Service and Wills Eye Hospital includes Brandon D. Ayres, MD, Assistant Surgeon at Wills Eye Hospital will be the forth speaker on this distinguished panel of speakers.

About Prokera®

The Prokera® family of products are the only therapeutic devices cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that reduce inflammation and simultaneously promote healing of the ocular surface.  Prokera® biologic corneal bandage devices can be inserted in the doctor’s office.  Prokera® can also be used in combination with topical agents.  For more information on Prokera®, please visit www.prokerainfo.com.

About BioTissue®

BioTissue®, a subsidiary of TissueTech™, is a privately held ophthalmic biologic therapeutics company that develops innovative wound healing and hygiene solutions for the prevention and treatment of ocular surface diseases and disorders.  BioTissue® provides a comprehensive line of cryopreserved amniotic membrane corneal wound healing products, including AmnioGraft® , a biologic ocular transplantation graft; AmnioGuard®a biologic glaucoma shunt tube graft; and the Prokera® family of biologic corneal bandage devices.  These products incorporate human amniotic membrane processed with the Company’s proprietary CryoTek® method that ensures the tissue retains its full biologic activity to reduce inflammation, promote healing, minimize corneal scarring and pain, and inhibit the angiogenic process. BioTissue® also developed and markets Cliradex® , an all-natural lid, lash and facial cleanser with 4-Terpineol, the active component of tea tree oil (TTO), for the management of symptoms in ocular diseases such as blepharitis, demodex, and rosacea. For more information, please visit www.biotissue.com.

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