Regulatory Filings • Sep 8, 2022
Regulatory Filings
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Bladder Cancer technology: New KARL STORZ Blue Light Cystoscopy system featured during E-Masterclass in Urology
Press release - Oslo, Norway, September 8th, 2022: Photocure ASA, The Bladder
Cancer Company, is delighted to continue supporting the global launch activities
of the new and improved Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC[®]) system to be used with
Photocure's product Hexvix[®] for the detection of bladder cancer. In Europe,
the photodynamic diagnostics (PDD) system based on the new light source POWER
LED SAPHIRAT from KARL STORZ was featured for the first time in an E-Masterclass
Webinar, hosted by both companies on September 6. This event was accompanied by
the leading experts in Urology in the field of Bladder Cancer.
Together with the experts from KARL STORZ and Photocure, Prof. Arnulf Stenzl,
Prof. Lukas Lusuardi, Dr. Param Mariappan and Prof. Morgan Rouprêt showcased the
new next-generation Blue Light system to the E-Masterclass participants. Over
400 registered delegates could see how the "IMAGE1 ST SAPHIRA[T]" system
improves visualization of bladder cancer via practical case studies.
Manufactured and commercialized by KARL STORZ, the new Blue Light system is the
next generation, improving the Blue Light experience and providing next-level
visualization.
"In the last months, I have had the opportunity to use the new Saphira light
source, which really ameliorates the quality of the procedure
significantly", said Prof. Lukas Lusuardi, Professor of the Department of
Urology at Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Hospital Salzburg, Austria. "The
quality of vision was exceptional - even in white light. With PDD and the new
POWER LED Saphira, I was very comfortable to make the resection and TURBT under
blue light, which was not the case before, I have to say. So especially with the
bipolar resection, I feel quite comfortable to perform the resection under the
blue light, just to be sure in the best possible way", added Prof. Morgan
Rouprêt, full Professor (academic position) at APHP Sorbonne University, in the
Academic Urology Department of the Pitié-Salpétrière Hospital, in Paris, France.
"We are proud to be part of the ongoing launch of this exciting new high
-definition system in Europe," commented Dr. Susanne Strauss, Vice President and
General Manager, Europe at Photocure. "Photodynamic diagnostics (PDD) is an
important cornerstone of accurate diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer.
This advancement in KARL STORZ's equipment will provide a better Blue Light
experience for our customers, as the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the e
-masterclass clearly shows," Susanne Strauss concluded.
"PDD started in Germany, with the full commitment of KARL STORZ, and so it is a
pleasure for us to introduce the new IMAGE1 ST SAPHIRAT system in the E
-Masterclass on NMIBC with PDD," said Paolo Cantù, Director Urology Global
Marketing at KARL STORZ. "The new light source POWER LED SAPHIRA[T] will allow
us to serve the needs of our healthcare partners, providing high image quality
in white light as well as in blue light for the detection and treatment of
bladder cancer. Together with the Photocure team we now make high-quality BLC
available to more patients worldwide".
Note to editors
Hexvix[®]/Cysview[®] and BLC[®] are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA.
SaphiraT is a registered trademark of KARL STORZ Endoscopy.
This press release may contain product details and information which are not
valid, or a product that is not accessible, in your country. Please be aware
that Photocure does not take any responsibility for accessing such information,
which may not comply with any legal process, regulation, registration, or usage
in the country of your origin.
About Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer ranks as the 8[th] most common cancer worldwide - the 5[th] most
common in men - with 1 720 000 prevalent cases (5-year prevalence rate)[1a],
573 000 new cases and more than 200 000 deaths annually in 2020.[1b]
Approx. 75% of all bladder cancer cases occur in men.[1] It has a high
recurrence rate, with up to 61% in year one and up to 78% over five years.[2]
Bladder cancer has the highest lifetime treatment costs per patient of all
cancers.[3]
Bladder cancer is a costly, potentially progressive disease for which patients
have to undergo multiple cystoscopies due to the high risk of recurrence. There
is an urgent need to improve both the diagnosis and the management of bladder
cancer for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems alike.
Bladder cancer is classified into two types, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
(NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), depending on the depth of
invasion in the bladder wall. NMIBC remains in the inner layer of cells lining
the bladder. These cancers are the most common (75%) of all cases and include
the subtypes Ta, carcinoma in situ (CIS), and T1 lesions. In MIBC, the cancer
has grown into deeper layers of the bladder wall. These cancers, including
subtypes T2, T3, and T4, are more likely to spread and are harder to treat.[4]
[1] Globocan. a) 5-year prevalence / b) incidence/mortality by population.
Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed [January 2022].
[2] Babjuk M, et al. Eur Urol. 2019; 76(5): 639-657
[3] Sievert KD et al. World J Urol 2009;27:295-300
[4] Bladder Cancer. American Cancer
Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer.html
About Hexvix[®]/Cysview[®] (hexaminolevulinate HCl)
Hexvix/Cysview is a drug that preferentially accumulates in cancer cells in the
bladder, making them glow bright pink during Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC[®]). BLC
with Hexvix/Cysview, compared to standard white light cystoscopy alone, improves
the detection of tumors and leads to more complete resection, fewer residual
tumors, and better management decisions.
Cysview[ ]is the tradename in the U.S. and Canada, Hexvix[ ]is the tradename in
all other markets. Photocure is commercializing Cysview/Hexvix directly in the
U.S. and Europe and has strategic partnerships for the commercialization of
Hexvix/Cysview in China, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and Israel. Please refer
to https://photocure.com/partners/our-partners for further information on our
commercial partners.
About Photocure ASA
Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to
improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making
cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients
worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, and listed on the Oslo
Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at
www.photocure.com, www.hexvix.com, www.cysview.com
About KARL STORZ
The medical technology company KARL STORZ was founded in 1945 in Tuttlingen,
Germany, and is an international leader in the world of endoscopy. Now in its
third generation, the family-owned company employs 8,300 people in 40 countries
worldwide. The company portfolio includes more than 15,000 products for human
and veterinary medicine. KARL STORZ stands for visionary design, precision
craftsmanship and clinical effectiveness. Sales for the fiscal year 2021
amounted to 1.97 billion euros. Production sites are located in Germany, the
USA, Switzerland and Estonia. Please find more information at: www.karlstorz.com
For further information, please contact:
Dan Schneider
President and CEO
Photocure ASA
Email: [email protected]
Erik Dahl
CFO
Photocure ASA
Tel: +4745055000
Email: [email protected]
David Moskowitz
Vice President, Investor Relations
Photocure ASA
Tel: +1 202 280 0888
Email: [email protected]
Media and IR enquiries:
Geir Bjørlo
Corporate Communications (Norway)
Tel: +47 91540000
Email: [email protected]
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