Press Release

Preclinical Data on Sustained-Release Injectable Anti-VEGF Drug Depots for Back-of-the-Eye Diseases to be Presented

BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2015-- Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. (NASDAQ:OCUL), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye, announced new data will be presented on the company’s sustained release technology at the upcoming Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado, from May 3-7, 2015.

The data presented will focus on the company’s proprietary hydrogel injectable depot technology using bevacizumab and other anti-VEGF agents as model proteins to demonstrate viability of the platform as a means of developing sustained release therapies for retinal diseases. The poster presentations take place on Monday, May 4^th, during the 8:30-10:15 a.m. MDT VEGF Therapy session.

• Preservation of Bevacizumab Anti-VEGF Bioactivity and Monomeric Structure During Processing into a Sustained Release Bevacizumab Intravitreal Depot
  (Poster B0226) – Compatibility of protein-based drugs with the hydrogel technology.
• Pharmacokinetics of Bevacizumab Sustained Release from Intravitreal Hydrogel Depots in a Rabbit Model Compared to a single Avastin Dose
  (Poster B0248) - Comparison of drug concentration in vitro and in intraocular tissues when released from the hydrogel depots containing various commercially available anti-VEGF agents compared to a conventional bolus injection of an anti-VEGF agent.

• Tolerability of Intravitreal Hydrogel Depots for Anti-VEGF Sustained Release in a Rabbit Model (Poster B0222) – Biocompatible nature of the hydrogel depot when placed in an intravitreal environment.

Ocular Therapeutix is developing hydrogel-based drug delivery depots designed to release anti-VEGF compounds over a sustained period following administration by intravitreal injection. The goal for this program is to provide drug release over a four to six month period, thereby reducing the frequency of current monthly or bi-monthly injections.

“We have been able to demonstrate that an anti-VEGF maintains its structure and bioactivity within our hydrogel. We have further shown tolerability and drug release of clinically meaningful concentration and duration. This technology provides the possibility of a new biocompatible, bioresorbable intravitreal hydrogel depot platform. We look forward to advancing the development of this program,” said Peter Jarrett, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Ocular Therapeutix.

In addition, Ocular Therapeutix will be presenting several additional posters based on the Company’s anterior segment therapies, including:

Sunday, May 3, 2015

• Influence of Storage Temperature on Sustained Release Dexamethasone Pharmacokinetics in a Beagle Model
  (Poster C0092) Session: Physiology, pharmacology, inflammation and neuroprotection. 8:30-10:15 a.m. MDT

• Dose-Based Pharmacokinetics of Sustained Release Dexamethasone in Beagles. 
  (Poster C0093) Session: Physiology, pharmacology, inflammation and neuroprotection. 8:30-10:15 a.m. MDT

Monday, May 4, 2015

• A Toxicological Evaluation of a Single Dose, 90 Day Sustained Release Travoprost Punctum Plug in Canines (Poster D0236) Session: Biochemistry, physiology and pharmacology of glaucoma and aqueous humor dynamics. 11:00AM-12:45 p.m. MDT

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

• Evaluating Sustained Release Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Chronic Allergic Conjunctivitis Using a Modified Conjunctival Allergen Challenge (Ora-CAC^®) Model (Poster A0143) Session: Corneal inflammation due to allergy, dry eye, or transplant. 3:45-5:30 p.m. MDT

Thursday, May 7, 2015

• One-Year Stability of a Sustained Release Travoprost Biodegradable Hydrogel Punctum Plug for the Treatment of Glaucoma (Poster C0137) Session: Drug studies and pharmacology. 8:30-10:15 a.m. MDT

About Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCUL) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye using its proprietary hydrogel platform technology. Ocular Therapeutix's lead product candidates are in Phase 3 clinical development for post-surgical ocular inflammation and pain, and Phase 2 clinical development for glaucoma, allergic conjunctivitis, and dry eye disease. The Company is also evaluating sustained-release injectable anti-VEGF drug depots for back-of-the-eye diseases. Ocular Therapeutix's first product, ReSure^® Sealant, is FDA-approved to seal corneal incisions following cataract surgery.

Forward Looking Statements

Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for the Company, including statements about the development of the Company’s product candidates, such as the ongoing development of the Company’s hydrogel injectable depot technology, the advancement of the Company's other product candidates and other statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend", "goal," "may", "might," "plan," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s clinical development programs, future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, those related to the timing and costs involved in commercializing ReSure^® Sealant, the initiation and conduct of clinical trials, availability of data from clinical trials and expectations for regulatory approvals, the Company’s scientific approach and general development progress, the availability or commercial potential of the Company’s product candidates, the sufficiency of cash resources and need for additional financing or other actions and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views as of the date of this release. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company’s views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this release.

Source: Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.

Investors:
Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
Brad Smith
Chief Financial Officer
bsmith@ocutx.com
or
Burns McClellan on behalf of Ocular Therapeutix
Kimberly Minarovich, 212-213-0006
kminarovich@burnsmc.com
or
Media:
Scott Corning
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
scorning@ocutx.com