Pro Top & Mediking Company Announces the First and Revolutionary Collagen Matrix to Prevent Scar Formation for Glaucoma Filtration Microsurgery.

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Mediking Company today announces the successful development of OculusGen -- the scarring inhibitor for glaucoma filtration microsurgery & ophthalmic surgery. A biodegradable 3-dimensional porous collagen-glycosaminoglican scaffold, OculusGen is designed to prevent scar formation and to create a physiological aqua buffer environment for modulating the trabeculectomy and other ophthalmic surgery. Please visit www.OculusGen.com for more information.

OculusGen was developed and patented by Life Spring Biotechnology Company Limited. The research team of this product is formed by several biologists and ophthalmologists, including Dr. J. Hsiao, who received a Ph.D. from Harvard University, Dr. Wesley Hsu, former fellow in ocularplasty at M.I.T. and Harvard Medical School, and Dr. Kevin Yan, who received a Ph.D. in medical engineering. Dr. Henry S.L. Chen, ophthalmologist is supporting the necessary medical advice, research and test. And Pro Top & Mediking Company Limited holds the worldwide exclusive marketing right.

According to Dr. Henry S.L. Chen, "OculusGen is primarily designed to increase the success rate of glaucoma filtration microsurgery." The major cause of failure of this surgery is scar formation, which leads to the aqueous humor fluid drain becoming obstructed or infected. Typically only a 60-70% success rate is achieved even after anti-proliferation drugs are employed. By applying OculusGen just before the suture, no anti-metabolism drugs are required, and the success rate is greater than it was before. Dr. Henry Chen is a glaucoma specialist who performs nearly a hundred trabeculectomy operations each year.

Dr. Chen comments again, "Glaucoma is one of the major causes of irreversible blindness. In early stage treatment, ophthalmologists typically use eye-drops and laser surgery. Eventually these methods lose their effectiveness, and further treatment is suggested, such as filtration microsurgery (trabeculectomy) or an aqueous shunt implant. Applying OculusGen simply adds a step to the traditional trabeculectomy technique, and improves results by eliminating anti-metabolite side effects."

He elaborates further: "Immediately after filtration microsurgery and implanting OculusGen, the aqueous humor is draining well and the intraocular pressure (IOP) is then lowered. OculusGen induces a regenerative non-scarring wound healing process without the use of anti-metabolites, reducing problematic side effects. OculusGen is a biodegradable collagen which dissolves and is absorbed by the body within a month or two."

To use OculusGen is easy. Simply implant it on top of the manual pathway intended for the aqueous humor to flow before suture. There is no change in the trabeculectomy technique therefore the ophthalmologist requires no further training.

OculusGen can also be used for Pterygium surgery, eye plastic surgery, strabismus correction surgery, conjunctiva scar removal surgery, orbital surgery and nasolacrimal duct surgery, etc. to prevent scar formation and speed up wound healing.

Anti-proliferation medicine cannot fully stop scarring and may cause infection and side effects. To prevent infection, antibiotics are often prescribed. However, the drugs often contribute to the possibility of bleb leak, bleb-associated infection and a thinner conjunctiva which may raise risk of infection. By applying OculusGen, these problems are avoided.

Pro Top & Mediking are now processing an application for the CE Mark and expect to attain the mark before the summer of 2005. US FDA is not available at this moment. This product definitely solves the major problem for the ophthalmologist and benefit to the patient.