LEUVEN, Belgium and LUND, Sweden, July 3 /PRNewswire/ -- ThromboGenics NV
(Euronext Brussels: THR) and co-development partner BioInvent International
(OMXS: BINV) announce that they have started recruitment of a second cohort of
patients for their Phase II trial of TB-402. This follows completion of
recruitment of the first cohort of 100 patients ahead of schedule. TB-402 is a
novel, long acting anticoagulant that is being developed for the prevention of
deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following orthopaedic surgery. The decision to move
ahead with the second cohort of this trial follows unanimous advice from the
external efficacy and safety monitoring board to proceed using a higher dose of
TB-402.

The Phase II trial is an active (enoxaparin)-controlled, dose-escalating,
multicenter, prospective, randomised, open label trial evaluating TB-402 for the
prophylaxis of DVT after knee surgery. The study is assessing three different
doses of TB-402 given as a single intravenous bolus injection post knee
replacement surgery, and will enrol a total of 300 patients across 36 centers,
mainly in Europe. The objective of the study is to assess the safety and
efficacy of the three escalating doses of TB-402.

TB-402 is a recombinant human monoclonal antibody that partially inhibits Factor
VIII, a key component of the coagulation cascade. This novel mode of action is
expected to reduce the risk of undesirable bleeding events, even at high doses,
as well as the need for patient monitoring. These are the two main drawbacks
associated with current anticoagulants. In addition, TB-402 is a long-acting
agent, which means it could be given as a single dose after surgery to prevent
the development of DVT. This would be an attractive option, as all current
anticoagulant treatment options require daily treatment for up to several weeks.

Professor Peter Verhamme from the University of Leuven will present additional
data from the earlier successful Phase I studies at the XXII Congress of the
International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) on July 15, 2009 in
Boston.

Patrik De Haes, CEO of ThromboGenics commented, We are very happy that this
important study with TB-402 is progressing rapidly. TB-402's profile, including
its novel mode of action, could allow it to address the many drawbacks
associated with current anticoagulant therapy. We remain confident in the large
market potential for TB-402, and believe that the current Phase II study will
provide additional data to further highlight the attractive differentiating
properties of this novel long-acting anticoagulant.

Svein Mathisen, CEO of BioInvent, also commented, We are pleased that there has
been rapid progress in this study and that the efficacy and safety monitoring
board unanimously recommended that we proceed to a higher dose of TB-402. It is
testament to the strength of our partnership with ThromboGenics and the exciting
potential of this product candidate.

About Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

DVT is caused when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the deep
veins of the lower leg. DVT is a major public health issue and it is estimated
that in the U.S. alone, more than 350,000 individuals are affected by DVT or
pulmonary embolism (PE) each year. Moreover, DVT and PE together may be
responsible for more than 100,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.(1)

It is estimated that by 2015, 1.4 million patients will undergo knee replacement
and 600,000 patients will undergo hip replacement in the U.S. if current trends
persist.(2) Patients undergoing hip replacement or knee surgery are particularly
at risk of developing DVT and all patients are therefore treated with
anticoagulants prophylactically in order to reduce the risks of blood clots. The
annual sales of anticoagulants worldwide are over $5 billion. Nevertheless,
available anticoagulants are still inconvenient and associated with an increased
risk of bleeding. Improved anticoagulants are therefore required. In particular,
agents that allow for improved ease of administration (without requirement for
daily dosing and frequent dose adjustment) would fill a significant unmet need.

Legal disclaimer

This press release contains statements about the future, consisting of
subjective assumptions and forecasts for future scenarios. Predictions for the
future only apply as of the date they are made and are, by their very nature, in
the same way as research and development work in the biotech segment, associated
with risk and uncertainty. With this in mind, the actual outcome may deviate
significantly from the scenarios described in this press release.

Notes to Editors:

About ThromboGenics

ThromboGenics is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and
development of innovative biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of eye disease,
vascular disease and cancer. The Company's lead product microplasmin is in Phase
III clinical development for the non-surgical treatment of back of the eye
diseases. Microplasmin is also being evaluated in Phase II clinical development
for additional vitreoretinal indications and as a potential therapy for stroke.
ThromboGenics is also developing novel antibody therapeutics in collaboration
with BioInvent International; these include TB-402 (Anti-Factor VIII), a long
acting anticoagulant, and TB-403 (anti-PlGF) for cancer.

ThromboGenics has built strong links with the University of Leuven and the
Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) and has exclusive rights to certain
therapeutics developed at these institutions. ThromboGenics is headquartered in
Leuven, Belgium. The Company is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Brussels under
the symbol THR. More information is available at http://www.thrombogenics.com.

About BioInvent

BioInvent International AB, listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm (BINV),
is a research-based pharmaceutical company that focuses on developing antibody
drugs. The Company is currently running innovative drug projects within the
areas of thrombosis, cancer and atherosclerosis. The Company has signed various
strategic alliances around these product candidates and is developing them in
collaboration with partners including Genentech, Roche and ThromboGenics.

These projects are based around a competitive and in substance patented antibody
development platform. The scope and strength of this platform is also utilised
by partners, such as ALK-Abello, Bayer HealthCare, ImmunoGen, OrbusNeich,
Sanofi-Aventis, UCB and XOMA. More information is available at
http://www.bioinvent.com.

(1) The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and
Pulmonary Embolism, September 15, 2008, p.1.

(2) Changes in Surgical Loads and Economic Burden of Hip and Knee Replacements
in the US: 1997-2004, Sunny Kim, Arthritis Rheumatism (Arthritis Care Research),
April 15, 2008; 59:4, pp. 481-488.

ThromboGenics NV Gaston Geenslaan 1 B-3001 Leuven Belgium Tel: +32(0)16-75-13-10
http://www.thrombogenics.com BioInvent International AB (publ) Co. reg. No.
556537-7263, Address: Solvegatan 41 Mailing address: SE-223 70 LUND Tel:
+46(0)46-286-85-50 info@bioinvent.com http://www.bioinvent.com For further
information, please contact: ThromboGenics NV Patrik De Haes, MD Chief Executive
Officer Tel: +32(0)16-75-13-10 E-mail: patrik.dehaes@thrombogenics.com Andy De
Deene, MD Clinical Director Europe Tel: +32(0)16-75-13-10 E-mail:
andy.dedeene@thrombogenics.com Citigate Dewe Rogerson Amber Bielecka, David
Dible, Nina Enegren Tel: +44(0)207-638-95-71 E-mail:
amber.bielecka@citigatedr.co.uk BioInvent International AB Svein Mathisen
President CEO Tel: +46(0)46-286-85-67 Mobile: +46(0)708-97-82-13 E-mail:
svein.mathisen@bioinvent.com Cristina Glad Executive Vice President Tel:
+46(0)46-286-85-51 Mobile: +46(0)708-16-85-70 E-mail:
cristina.glad@bioinvent.com College Hill (media enquiries) Holly Griffiths, Sue
Charles, John McIntyre Tel: +44(0)20-7866-7856 E-mail: bioinvent@collegehill.com

SOURCE: ThromboGenics NV and BioInvent International

ThromboGenics NV, Gaston Geenslaan 1, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium, Tel:
+32(0)16-75-13-10; BioInvent International AB (publ), Co. reg. No. 556537-7263,
Address: Solvegatan 41, Mailing address: SE-223 70 LUND, Tel:
+46(0)46-286-85-50, info@bioinvent.com; For further information, please contact:
ThromboGenics NV, Patrik De Haes, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Tel:
+32(0)16-75-13-10, E-mail: patrik.dehaes@thrombogenics.com; Andy De Deene, MD,
Clinical Director Europe, Tel: +32(0)16-75-13-10, E-mail:
andy.dedeene@thrombogenics.com; Citigate Dewe Rogerson, Amber Bielecka, David
Dible, Nina Enegren, Tel: +44(0)207-638-95-71, E-mail:
amber.bielecka@citigatedr.co.uk; BioInvent International AB, Svein Mathisen,
President CEO, Tel: +46(0)46-286-85-67, Mobile: +46(0)708-97-82-13, E-mail:
svein.mathisen@bioinvent.com; Cristina Glad, Executive Vice President, Tel:
+46(0)46-286-85-51, Mobile: +46(0)708-16-85-70, E-mail:
cristina.glad@bioinvent.com; College Hill (media enquiries), Holly Griffiths,
Sue Charles, John McIntyre, Tel: +44(0)20-7866-7856, E-mail:
bioinvent@collegehill.com