Regulatory Filings • Feb 7, 2022
Regulatory Filings
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Bladder Cancer technology: New improved Blue Light Cystoscopy system receives FDA approval for use in NMIBC in the U.S.
Oslo, Norway, February 7, 2022: Photocure ASA, The Bladder Cancer Company,
announces U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a new and improved
Blue Light system to be used with Photocure's Cysview[®] product in Blue Light
Cystoscopy (BLC[®]) procedures for the detection of NMIBC*. Manufactured and
soon to be commercialized by KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc. (KARL STORZ),
the new Blue Light system is approved for use in procedures requiring rigid
cystoscopy. FDA approval was granted to KARL STORZ on February 4, 2022.
"The successful FDA approval is great news for the bladder cancer community in
the U.S.," commented Geoffrey Coy, Vice President and General Manager, North
America at Photocure. "In healthcare, constant technical innovation is crucial,
and we expect that this new, enhanced BLC system will fulfill our clients'
expectations for improving the Blue Light experience. The new system is the next
generation and includes practical features to make the technology more user
friendly. We look forward to expanding the use of BLC with Cysview[®]," Geoffrey
Coy concluded.
"At KARL STORZ, we are committed to helping our customers deliver top-quality
care, and we believe that our new Blue Light system demonstrates this
commitment," said Michael Lyman, Executive Director, Sales & Marketing, Urology
and Gynecology, KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America. "The New Blue Light Powered by
Saphira[®] will allow us to serve the needs of our customers, providing next
-level visualization to enable the right solutions for urological procedures in
patients with Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer and continue our collaboration
with the Photocure team to make high-quality BLC available to more patients in
the U.S.".
Photocure expects to inform its stakeholders about the launch of the new Blue
Light system as KARL STORZ provides further information regarding the product
and its launch plans.
*NMIBC: non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
Note to editors
All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law and are registered
trademarks of Photocure ASA and KARL STORZ Endoscopy. Hexvix[®]/Cysview[®] and
BLC[®] are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA. Saphira[®] 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 seventh most common cancer worldwide, 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 an average of 61% in year one and 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[ ]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, and New Zealand. 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 Endoscopy-America, Inc.
KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc., is an affiliate of KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG,
an international leader for more than 75 years in advanced medical technology,
providing surgical and procedural imaging, instrumentation, and enterprise-wide
integration. Based in Tuttlingen, Germany, KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG is a family
-owned company that designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets all its
products with an emphasis on visionary design, precision craftsmanship, and
clinical effectiveness. For more information, call (800) 421-0837 or visit the
company's website 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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