Earnings Release • Oct 16, 2020
Earnings Release
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New data analysis on Blue Light Cystoscopy efficiency presented at the virtual BLADDR 2020 congress
PRESS RELEASE - Oslo, Norway, 16 October, 2020: Photocure ASA (OSE:PHO) today
announces a highlight from the BLADDR 2020 congress, a poster presentation on
new findings from the Nordic Flexible BLC registry, an ongoing prospective
multicenter study. It demonstrates that flexible Blue Light Cystoscopy helped
resolve a substantial amount of cases by complete removal on-site or direct
referral to intravesical treatment, providing increased efficacy to manage non
-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in the office setting.
The BLADDR congress, held virtually this year, is solely focused on bladder
cancer and attracts the interest of experts from all over the world.
"It is encouraging to see how data on the blue light cystoscopy procedure
continues to provide new insight into the efficiency of how to manage NMIBC in
the office setting. The BLC procedure is a tool that helps physicians solve such
cases outside of the OR. Using blue light cystoscopy with Hexvix, they trust
their detection capabilities in the office and can treat the lesions
immediately, perform confirmatory biopsies or initiate intravesical therapy.
Such options are less costly than OR procedures, thus helping to keep costs down
for the healthcare system and sparing the patient additional surgical procedures
in the OR. This is a clear win-win situation for both patient and healthcare
system", says Dan Schneider, President and CEO of Photocure.
Methodology and data from the study:
The Nordic Flexible BLC registry is an ongoing prospective multicenter study
initiated to observe the clinical use and explore possible benefits of blue
light cystoscopy in the surveillance setting. From five participating sites, 354
patients in follow-up of NMIBC have been included in the study. Data from 462
blue light procedures were included.
In follow-up of NMIBC, in a predominant intermediate and high-risk patient
population, this analysis shows how blue light cystoscopy in a surveillance
setting helped resolve a substantial amount of cases by complete removal of
lesions on-site, or direct referral to intravesical instillation. In 88% of
cases where suspicious lesions were seen, no further diagnostic or surgical
treatment procedures (TURBT) were needed.
The authors conclude that blue light cystoscopy in the surveillance setting
provides increased efficiency to manage NMIBC.
Here is a link (https://www.morressier.com/article/flexible-blue-light
-cystoscopy-provides-increased-efficacy-manage-nonmuscle-invasive-bladder-cancer
-outpatient-clinic/5f4d121e6d2dd7debfa950ae?) to the poster.
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About Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer ranks as the sixth most common cancer worldwide with 1 650 000
prevalent cases (5-year prevalence rate), 550 000 new cases and almost 200 000
deaths annually in 2018.[1]
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 BC 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. Incidence/mortality by
population. Available at: http://globocan.iarc.fr/Pages/bar_pop_sel.aspx
[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[TM]). BLCT 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 the Nordic region and has strategic partnerships for
the commercialization of Hexvix[®]/Cysview[®] in Europe, Canada, Australia and
New Zealand. Please refer to https://bit.ly/2wzqSQQ 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
For further information, please contact:
Photocure
Dan Schneider
President and CEO
Tel: +1-609 759-6515
Email: [email protected]
Erik Dahl
CFO
Tel: +47 45055000
Email: [email protected]
Media and IR enquiries:
Geir Bjørlo
Corporate Communications (Norway)
Tel: +47 91540000
Email: [email protected]
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