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Photocure ASA (OSL:PHO) Oslo, Norway, 8 September 2008 - Photocure is very pleased to note the recent press release by GE Healthcare (please see attachment) on the decision by the UK National Health Service (NHS) to commit to a programme designed to promote the adoption of photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) of bladder cancer as standard care.
Photocure's product Hexvix is currently the only photodynamic diagnostic product approved in the UK for detecting bladder cancer, where it is being commercialized by GE Healthcare. According to Cancer Research UK, more than 10,200 people were diagnosed with bladder cancer In the UK in 2005, and bladder cancers caused just over 4,800 deaths in the UK in 2006.
PDD using Hexvix is an innovative technique based on the absorption of a photosensitive molecule (hexaminolevulinate) specifically by rapidly growing tumor cells and their subsequent detection by illumination with a blue light source. Malignant and premalignant cells fluorescence under illumination allowing their detection and removal with much greater sensitivity than standard cystoscopy using white light. In clinical trials, up to 30% more bladder cancer lesions were identified using Hexvix than standard cystoscopy techniques.
Hexvix is currently approved in Europe and is in a phase III trial program in the USA, which is due to complete in 2008. Photocure is also developing a PDD for the detection of colon cancer based on hexaminolevulinate, called Lumacan(TM), which has demonstrated superiority over the current standard colonoscopy techniques in an early clinical study.
Kjetil Hestdal, President and CEO of Photocure, said: "This is great news not only for Photocure, our commercial partner GE Healthcare, healthcare payers in the UK, but also and most importantly for patients with suspected or diagnosed bladder cancer. The detection of lesions in the bladder can be improved dramatically using this simple new technique, and it enables surgeons to remove lesions more effectively and completely, thereby reducing disease recurrence significantly. We look forward to playing our part in accelerating the adoption of PDD for bladder cancer in the UK as a standard procedure."
For further information, contact: President and CEO Kjetil Hestdal E-mail: kh@photocure.no Mobile: +47 913 19 535 Office: +47 22 06 22 10
CFO Christian Fekete E-mail: cf@photocure.no Mobile: +47 916 42 938 Office: +47 22 06 22 10 www.photocure.com
Photocure ASA is a Norwegian pharmaceutical company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The company develops and sells pharmaceuticals and medical devices for the photodynamic treatment and diagnosis of cancer.
Photocure has two proprietary pharmaceutical products on the market: Metvix®, for the treatment of sun-damaged skin and certain types of skin cancer, and Hexvix®, for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. In addition, the company has developed a proprietary light source, the Aktilite® lamp, which is used in combination with the Metvix cream. Through worldwide studies, Photocure is continuously testing its products for new indications, and the aim is to develop a pipeline of follow-on products and technologies.
Photocure®, Metvix®, Hexvix® and Aktilite® are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA.
