OPKO Health, Inc. (NYSE Alternext US:OPK) today announced that it will present initial data on the characterization of its next generation anti-VEGF siRNA molecules. These new proprietary siRNA's are designed to inhibit the angiogenic Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A165 (VEGFA165 isoform) but spare the anti-angiogenic VEGFA165b isoform.

VEGFA165 is known to play a critical role in diseases of the eye where the underlying cause of the problem is abnormal growth of blood vessels, such as in wet Age-related Macular Degeneration. To the contrary, data show that VEGFA165b is an inhibitor of abnormal vessel growth.

"We are pleased to present data regarding our new siRNA molecules that spare the so-called VEGF165b at the upcoming ARVO 2009 meeting in Fort Lauderdale," said Phillip Frost, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OPKO Health. "We believe that these new proprietary molecules have the potential to significantly improve clinical outcomes in patients with ocular neovascularization." Dr. Frost further noted that the synthesis of these new siRNA's adds significant breadth to OPKO's already substantial intellectual property portfolio in the RNAi space…