Eyetech Announces Approval of Macugen in Brazil

Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria) has granted approval for Eyetech Pharmaceuticals' Macugen (pegaptanib sodium injection) for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Macugen is the first therapy in Brazil indicated for the treatment of neovascular AMD regardless of lesion subtype or size. Macugen was approved in the U.S. in December 2004 and in Canada in May 2005.

Eyetech and Pfizer co-promote Macugen in the U.S. Eyetech has granted Pfizer the exclusive rights to commercialize Macugen in countries outside the U.S., including Brazil, pursuant to a royalty-bearing licensing agreement.