BioTissue Research Further Demonstrates Effectiveness of Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane for Ocular Surface Healing

LOS ANGELES, May 2, 2017 –BioTissue^®, a business unit of TissueTech^™, Inc., announces the presentation of key research at this week’s American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annual meeting, May 5th-9th, further demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of Prokera^®, its biologic corneal bandage with cryopreserved amniotic membrane tissue.

The studies being presented include:

“Treatment Outcomes in the Dry Eye Amniotic Membrane (DREAM) Study,” a retrospective study across ten clinical sites reviewing the use of cryopreserved amniotic membrane for the treatment of Dry Eye Disease (DED).

“Corneal Nerve Regeneration after Self-Retained Amniotic Membrane for Dry Eye Disease,” a prospective randomized controlled study to compare cryopreserved amniotic membrane and conventional treatments in patients with moderate-to-severe DED (as defined by the Dry Eye Workshop [DEWS] Level 2-4).

In the first study (DREAM) – authors Marguerite McDonald, M.D., and Hosam El Sheha, M.D., Ph.D. – completed a retrospective study of 84 patients with refractory DED being treated with conventional therapies and subsequently treated with Prokera. 74 of 84 patients (88 percent) demonstrated improved ocular surface health along with notable reduction in DED severity.

In the second study – authors Thomas John, M.D. et al – conducted a prospective randomized controlled study to compare Prokera and conventional treatment in treating moderate-tosevere DED (DEWS 2-4). Confocal microscopy showed significant increase in corneal nerve density, which was accompanied by a significant increase in corneal sensitivity. Of the 20, patients enrolled, DEWS scoring were significantly improved in the study group yet remained constant in the control group.

“The clinical evidence presented is further testament to the effectiveness of our cryopreserved amniotic membrane in treating patients, and our company’s commitment to provide regenerative therapies that address the entire ocular surface disease spectrum,” said Thomas G. Daniells, Chief Commercial Officer of BioTissue.  “Our cryopreserved amniotic tissue accelerates the healing of the ocular surface, and is also a promising new treatment to restore corneal nerve integrity.”

BioTissue will also hold a speaker’s forum at Booth #2139:

Saturday, May 6
10 a.m.-10:50 a.m. – “Preparing the Ocular Surface Prior to Cataract Surgery,” presented by Blake Williamson, M.D.
1 p.m.-2 p.m. – “Corneal Nerve Regeneration in Severe Dry Eye,” presented by Thomas John, M.D.

Sunday, May 7  
11 a.m.-noon – “The Ocular Surface Spectrum: An Integrated Environment,” presented by Scheffer Tseng, M.D., Ph.D.
2 p.m.-3 p.m. – “Improving Patient Outcomes for Ocular Surface Disease,” presented by John Sheppard, M.D.

Monday, May 8 
9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. – “The Value of Premium Outcomes for a Premium Practice,” presented by Neel Desai, M.D.
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – “Advanced Therapies for Ocular Surface Disease,” presented by Marguerite McDonald, M.D.

About BioTissue

BioTissue, a business unit of TissueTech, Inc., develops and markets regenerative therapies that allow eye care professionals to advance the standard of care for treating the ocular surface. Its core products include cryopreserved amniotic membrane and umbilical cord-based tissue with innate therapeutic actions scientifically-proven to heal the ocular surface. The Company’s proprietary CryoTek^® preservation method ensures the tissue retains its biologic activity and healing components. To date, more than 300,000 allografts have been transplanted collectively by BioTissue and sister company Amniox (TissueTech business units).