SUNNYVALE, Calif--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Icon Bioscience, Inc., a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on utilizing its Verisome® drug-delivery platform to develop unique intraocular eye-care therapeutics, today announced that Dr. Vernon Wong, the Company’s founder, Chairman and inventor of the Verisome® technology has been honored with the Visionary Award from the Foundation Fighting Blindness.
This prestigious honor was presented to Dr. Wong by the Foundation at its 7th Annual San Francisco Dining in the Dark. The award ceremony was held on June 5th at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco and included a dinner served in total darkness, a one-of-a-kind concept, to give diners a glimpse into the challenging lives of those who are completely blind.
Icon noted that Dr. Wong had served as the first clinical director of the National Eye Institute and was also a tenured Professor at Georgetown University Medical School. He is a pioneer in the field of drug delivery and his Verisome technology could potentially propel a transformational change in ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Dr. Wong has published over 100 scientific papers. He co-founded and was the core patent holder in Oculex Pharmaceuticals which was acquired by Allergan (NYSE:AGN) for $245 million in 2002.
“We are delighted and congratulate Vernon on the honor bestowed upon him by the Foundation Fighting Blindness,” said David S. Tierney MD, Icon’s President & CEO. “This is a well-deserved tribute given his lifelong dedication and success in ophthalmology.” Tierney further noted, “Under Vernon’s leadership, Icon Bioscience has grown dramatically and the Company now stands on the threshold of completing a pivotal phase 3 study of its first Verisome based ophthalmic therapeutic.”
Commenting on today’s announcement, Dr. Wong said “Whatever I have accomplished to warrant this esteemed award would not have been possible without the support of others who have and continue to stand at my side in pursuit of innovation in ophthalmic healthcare.” He further noted, “I am sincerely grateful to all Icon employees whose spirit and dedication to excellence is truly being honored by this award.”
About Icon Bioscience and Verisome®
Icon Bioscience, Inc. is a privately held specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of unique ophthalmic pharmaceuticals based on its patented and proprietary Verisome® drug delivery technology. The technology encompasses a broad number of related, but distinct drug delivery systems capable of incorporating an extensive range of active agents, including small molecules, proteins and monoclonal antibodies. Moreover, this drug delivery platform is a highly advanced, yet elegantly formulated system for controlling the release of medication within the eye for up to a year through the administration of a single injection. The technology’s exceptional versatility can support products individually formulated to meet the particular clinical requirements of a given active agent targeting a specific ophthalmic disease. Icon is actively developing a broad portfolio of specialty pharmaceuticals targeting several ophthalmic indications, including macular edema, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and cataract surgery. For additional information visit the Icon website at www.iconebioscience.com
