First European Patient Treated in CABERNET Trial with Novel Treatment for Wet AMD

Leipzig, Germany, November 29 (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Ophthalmic Clinic in Germany First in Europe To Treat Patients
With New Focused Radiation Therapy

NeoVista, Inc. announced today that the first European patient has
been treated in the company's pivotal global clinical trial for its
novel beta radiation epiretinal therapy for the wet form of
age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Wet AMD is the most
progressive form of AMD and one of the leading causes of blindness
in the industrialized world for patients over 50. Unlike the current
standard of care which requires costly monthly eye injections,
NeoVista's investigational therapy delivers a one-time dose of
radiation providing a less invasive and potentially more
cost-effective treatment option.

The procedure was performed as part of NeoVista's CABERNET (CNV
Secondary to AMD Treated with BEta RaditioN Epiretinal Therapy)
trial, which seeks to enroll a total of 450 patients (300 in the
radiation treatment arm) in approximately 40 sites worldwide to
evaluate the efficacy and safety of NeoVista's novel radiation
therapy. Patients in the study receive a single treatment with
NeoVista's targeted radiation in combination with an injection of
Lucentis(R) at the time of radiation delivery to maximize immediate
effect.

"We're excited to have the opportunity to try this innovative
technique with our patients. NeoVista's targeted radiation treatment
may provide us the ability to improve vision for the elderly and
dramatically change their quality of life by eliminating frequent eye
injections," said Christian Foja, MD Leipzig University Eye Hospital,
who performed the procedure.

Peter Wiedemann, MD, who oversees the department at Leipzig
University Eye Hospital, echoed Dr. Foja's sentiments. "NeoVista is
developing a promising new wet AMD treatment that could also be a
cost-effective alternative in Europe," said Dr. Wiedemann. "And
without having to perform regular, monthly injections that are quite
expensive for our patients, this procedure will allow our specialists
to treat more patients and bring down the cost associated with
ongoing treatment."

Unlike previous forms of radiation therapies for wet AMD,
NeoVista's radiation device delivers the peak dose of radiation
directly to the lesion minimizing radiation exposure to the
surrounding tissue. The minimally invasive procedure utilizes a
device similar in size and appearance to a fountain pen, to deliver a
highly focused radiation directly to the area of the retina affected
by wet AMD. Importantly for patients, the exposure to radiation is
minimal, as the effective dose to the entire body from NeoVista's
epiretinal device is comparable to 15 minutes of sun exposure.

"Ultimately, our goal is to restore vision and quality of life to
elderly patients who have been stricken with this debilitating
disease by liberating them of the burdens associated with existing
wet AMD therapies," said John N. Hendrick, President and CEO of
NeoVista. "As our clinical trials continue to show positive results,
we are getting closer to achieving that goal and delivering a real
solution to physicians and patients."

In addition to Germany, locations of CABERNET study sites include
the United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Brazil,
Mexico, Peru, and the United States. The CABERNET study is intended
to support eventual filing for regulatory approval to market the
product worldwide.

About Wet AMD

Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start
to grow under the macula, where they leak blood and fluid, causing
scar tissue to form and vision to become impaired. With wet AMD
vision loss may occur faster and be more noticeable than with dry
AMD. The longer the abnormal vessels leak or grow, the more detail
vision will be lost. The earlier wet AMD is diagnosed, the better the
patients' chance of preserving some or much of their central vision.

About NeoVista, Inc.

NeoVista, Inc. is a privately held development-stage medical
device company based in Fremont, California. For more information
about the company, the clinical trial or this novel wet AMD therapy,
please visit the company's Web site at http://www.neovistainc.com.

ots Originaltext: NeoVista, Inc.
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Contact: Tony Moses ,O: +1-510-933-7600, C: +1-510-402-3394,
tmoses@neovistainc.com