Photocure
Encyclopedia
Photocure ASA is a Norwegian
pharmaceutical company that develops and sells pharmaceuticals and medical devices based on proprietary photodynamic technology, targeting key dermatology
and oncology
markets. Photocure's strategy is to build a speciality pharma company by developing and commercialising new and innovative products based on its patented photodynamic technology.
Photocure’s strategy in dermatology is to continue the development of the dermatology portfolio, with Allumera and Visonac and other new dermatology products, and build a commercial platform in the US. Photocure's strategy in cancer
is to continue the commercialisation of Hexvix
for bladder cancer
diagnostics, and continue the development of the cancer
portfolio and out-license prior to phase III studies. This strategy is based on a strong platform of intellectual property in photodynamic therapy
.
.
In 1997 Photocure recruited the first full-time employee and started of formal clinical studies for Metvix.
In 2000 the company filed their first marketing authorisation for Metvix and the company's share were listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange
. In 2000 Photocure started clinical studies on Hexvix
. Photocure's obtained their first marketing authorisation for Metvix the year after, and Metvix and Aktilite were marketed for the first time. A licensing agreement for Metvix was signed with Galderma
and all rights to Metvix/Aktilite were sold to Galderma in 2009.
In 2005 Hexvix got approved in all EU/EEA
countries and Hexvix was launched in Europe in 2006. Photocure signed a licensing agreement with GE Healthcare
for Hexvix. Hexvix was approved in the US in May 2010 under the tradename Cysview
™.
Lumacan was licensed to Salix Pharmaceuticals Inc. in 2010.
, Photocure Inc, and appointed Terry Conrad as President to build its speciality dermatology business in the US.
Photocure uses a global network of academic institutions and third party contract research organisations to give the company access to world-class research at an affordable cost. Collaborations with academic institutions will always remain a core part of Photocure's strategy for developing new products and platform technologies.
Pipeline:
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
pharmaceutical company that develops and sells pharmaceuticals and medical devices based on proprietary photodynamic technology, targeting key dermatology
Dermatology
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails....
and oncology
Oncology
Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with cancer...
markets. Photocure's strategy is to build a speciality pharma company by developing and commercialising new and innovative products based on its patented photodynamic technology.
Photocure’s strategy in dermatology is to continue the development of the dermatology portfolio, with Allumera and Visonac and other new dermatology products, and build a commercial platform in the US. Photocure's strategy in cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
is to continue the commercialisation of Hexvix
Hexvix
Hexvix is an optical imaging agent developed by the Norwegian pharmaceutical company Photocure ASA. Hexvix is designed to enhance detection of bladder cancer, in particular carcinoma in situ , it reveals lesions that may not be seen with standard white light cystoscopy...
for bladder cancer
Bladder cancer
Bladder cancer is any of several types of malignant growths of the urinary bladder. It is a disease in which abnormal cells multiply without control in the bladder. The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ that stores urine; it is located in the pelvis...
diagnostics, and continue the development of the cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
portfolio and out-license prior to phase III studies. This strategy is based on a strong platform of intellectual property in photodynamic therapy
Photodynamic therapy
Photodynamic therapy is used clinically to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including malignant cancers, and is recognised as a treatment strategy which is both minimally invasive and minimally toxic...
.
History
Photocure was founded in 1993 and Photocure's aim was to commercialise photodynamic technologies developed by the Norwegian Radium Hospital, the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Northern EuropeNorthern Europe
Northern Europe is the northern part or region of Europe. Northern Europe typically refers to the seven countries in the northern part of the European subcontinent which includes Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland and Sweden...
.
In 1997 Photocure recruited the first full-time employee and started of formal clinical studies for Metvix.
In 2000 the company filed their first marketing authorisation for Metvix and the company's share were listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange
Oslo Stock Exchange
The Oslo Stock Exchange serves as the main market for trading in the shares of Norwegian companies. It opens at 9:00am and closes 5:30pm local time...
. In 2000 Photocure started clinical studies on Hexvix
Hexvix
Hexvix is an optical imaging agent developed by the Norwegian pharmaceutical company Photocure ASA. Hexvix is designed to enhance detection of bladder cancer, in particular carcinoma in situ , it reveals lesions that may not be seen with standard white light cystoscopy...
. Photocure's obtained their first marketing authorisation for Metvix the year after, and Metvix and Aktilite were marketed for the first time. A licensing agreement for Metvix was signed with Galderma
Galderma
Galderma is a global leading pharmaceutical company specializing in the research, development and marketing of innovative medical solutions in dermatology...
and all rights to Metvix/Aktilite were sold to Galderma in 2009.
In 2005 Hexvix got approved in all EU/EEA
EEA
EEA or Eea may refer to:* Eea or Electron affinity, the energy required to detach an electron from a singly charged negative ion* River Eea, in Cumbria, England* EEA Helicopter Operations, a Dutch subsidiary of CHC Helicopter...
countries and Hexvix was launched in Europe in 2006. Photocure signed a licensing agreement with GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare is a division of GE Technology Infrastructure, which is itself a division of General Electric . It employs more than 46,000 people worldwide and is headquartered in Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom. GE Healthcare is the first GE business segment to be headquartered...
for Hexvix. Hexvix was approved in the US in May 2010 under the tradename Cysview
Cysview
Cysview is an optical imaging agent designed to enhance detection of bladder cancer, in particular carcinoma in situ , it reveals lesions that may not be seen with standard white light cystoscopy. Cysview is marketed in Europe as Hexvix...
™.
Lumacan was licensed to Salix Pharmaceuticals Inc. in 2010.
Corporate structure
Photocure has over 60 employees and operates in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and the US. In 2010 Photocure established an US subsidiarySubsidiary
A subsidiary company, subsidiary, or daughter company is a company that is completely or partly owned and wholly controlled by another company that owns more than half of the subsidiary's stock. The subsidiary can be a company, corporation, or limited liability company. In some cases it is a...
, Photocure Inc, and appointed Terry Conrad as President to build its speciality dermatology business in the US.
Pharmaceuticals
Photocure has two product in the market and has sold all rights to Metvix/Aktilite.- CysviewCysviewCysview is an optical imaging agent designed to enhance detection of bladder cancer, in particular carcinoma in situ , it reveals lesions that may not be seen with standard white light cystoscopy. Cysview is marketed in Europe as Hexvix...
(hexaminolevulinate) for diagnosis of bladder cancer. Cysview is marketed in Europe as HexvixHexvixHexvix is an optical imaging agent developed by the Norwegian pharmaceutical company Photocure ASA. Hexvix is designed to enhance detection of bladder cancer, in particular carcinoma in situ , it reveals lesions that may not be seen with standard white light cystoscopy...
. - Allumera photodynamic cosmetic for skin improvements.
Research and development
Photocure was founded by the Norwegian Radium Hospital Research Foundation (RF) to commercialise and develop technologies originally discovered by scientists at the Norwegian Radium Hospital.Photocure uses a global network of academic institutions and third party contract research organisations to give the company access to world-class research at an affordable cost. Collaborations with academic institutions will always remain a core part of Photocure's strategy for developing new products and platform technologies.
Pipeline:
- Cevira
- Visonac
- Lumacan