Indianapolis' Dr. Francis W. Price, Jr., MD, to Present Overview of International...

Indianapolis' Dr. Francis W. Price, Jr., MD, to Present Overview of International Corneal Transplantation Rejection Study to Colleagues during The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting in Chicago, IL on April 8, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS--(Business Wire)--
Indianapolis-based Cornea Research Foundation of America founder
Dr. Francis Price, Jr. M.D., will present an overview of a
groundbreaking, international corneal transplantation rejection study
during The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting
in Chicago, IL on April 8, 2008.

The Cornea Research Foundation is one of 27 locations throughout
the world participating in the trial treatment, which is designated
LX201 by its developer Lux Biosciences of Jersey City, NJ. Since
announcing participation one year ago, the Foundation has enrolled 12
participants (the 4th highest number of enrollees among all global
locations).

During the session Dr. Price will discuss the clinical trial
design and rationale for the investigational therapy that uses a
silicone implant, placed within the transparent tissue covering the
white of the eye. The implant steadily releases small amounts of a
drug commonly used to prevent the rejection of kidney and other solid
organ transplants. The new implant is designed to prevent corneal
transplant rejection.

-- Approximately 35,000 corneas are transplanted each year in the
United States, making corneal transplant the most common type
of solid tissue transplant.

-- Up to a third of all patients are at increased risk of
rejecting their graft.

-- Current postoperative management of high-risk patients for
graft rejection includes chronic use of steroids, which can
lead to the development of glaucoma and cataracts.

-- LX201 is an investigational drug that may provide an
opportunity for new postoperative management of high-risk
patients with improved convenience.

About Cornea Transplantation

Corneal tissue does not contain blood vessels and is, thus, less
prone to acute rejection; yet, up to a third of all patients are still
at increased risk of immune-mediated rejection or graft loss. In the
United States, corneal transplantation is usually an outpatient
procedure and steroid eyedrops are used to prevent rejection. The
prolonged use of steroid eyedrops can delay healing and cause
cataracts or glaucoma.

About LX201

The trial treatment, designated LX201 by its developer Lux
Biosciences of Jersey City, NJ, is a silicone matrix ocular implant
that steadily releases therapeutic doses of cyclosporine A, locally,
to the eye for one year. Cyclosporine A is used widely as systemic
therapy for the prevention of rejection following kidney and other
solid organ transplantation. LX201 is implanted underneath the
transparent layer covering the white of the eye in an area covered by
the lower eyelid in a minimally invasive procedure. Lux Biosciences
plans to clinically assess signs of rejection, such as increased
corneal thickness or inflammation of the cornea, as well as graft loss
at one year. LX201 has received Orphan Drug status in both the United
States and Europe.

The Cornea Research Foundation of America is a 501 (c) (3)
not-for-profit educational organization that depends on donations,
grants, and planned gifts to conduct research and publish findings.
The organization was founded by Dr. Francis Price, Jr., M.D., in 1988
with a mission to establish a world center for clinical research and
education specializing in corneal disease, corneal transplantation and
intraocular lens surgery. The Foundation houses one of the world's
largest data banks of corneal transplant information available to
medical professionals.

Since its inception, the Foundation has been led by Dr. Price and
his passion for innovation and lifelong learning. To date, CRFA has
participated in over 70 clinical and investigational studies and
published over 90 papers and manuscripts. The Foundation hosts
seminars regularly for physicians, as well as patients, to share
developments in ophthalmology.

Hostetler Public Relations
Rae Hostetler, 317-733-8700
Rae@HostetlerPR.com

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