Photocure ASA Stock

PhotoCure ASA, a pharmaceutical company, engages in the development and sale of pharmaceuticals and medical devices based on proprietary photodynamic technologies, targeting key dermatology and oncology markets.

PhotoCure is also developing photochemical internalisation (PCI), a technology for light-directed drug delivery. The PCI technology was developed to introduce therapeutic molecules in a biologically active form specifically into diseased cells. PCI Biotech AS, a subsidiary of the company, ensures an optimal development of the PCI technology.

Products

Hexvix: Hexvix is a pharmaceutical product developed for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. The Hexvix procedure, which combines the Hexvix solution with blue light, gives a more accurate diagnosis than standard cystoscopy with white light. The product is approved for sales and marketing in all EU/EAA countries.

Metvix: Metvix is a pharmaceutical product developed for the treatment of skin cancer (BCC) and pre-cancerous skinlesions (AK). Metvix is a nonsurgical treatment, based on photodynamic therapy, which uses light to destroy the diseased cells. The product is approved for the treatment of BCC and AK in most European countries, Australia and New Zealand, and for AK in the US.

New Products: PhotoCure is developing new ALA derivatives for the photodynamic diagnosis and treatment of early-stage cancers in internal organs, in particular colon cancers. PhotoCure is also investigating the use of ALA derivatives for other indications, including pre-cancerous conditions in the esophagus and the cervix.

PCI Biotech AS

The company, through its subsidiary PCI Biotech AS, commercializes its proprietary photochemical internalisation technology (PCI). The PCI technology was developed to introduce therapeutic molecules in a biologically active form specifically into the diseased cells. PCI Biotech’s business focus is to develop its proprietary photosensitiser for cancer treatment. In addition to cancers, the company’s other target diseases include cardiovascular, eye, skin and autoimmune diseases.

Galderma, the company’s marketing partner for Metvix, is a major pharmaceutical company, which engages in the research, development and marketing of dermatological products.

Research and Development Partners

PhotoCure operates its research and development activities through a ‘virtual’ structure, based on collaborations with various outstanding academic institutions globally and third party contract research organizations. The company has partnerships with: Norwegian Radium Hospital Research Foundation, Norway; Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the Municipal University Hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland; University of Geneva, Switzerland; Drug Discovery Laboratory (DDL), Norway; and Contract Research Organizations (CROs).

The company has signed a research collaboration agreement with The Norwegian Radium Hospital Research Foundation. Through research grants, the collaboration agreement assures Photocure first right of refusal to new inventions made by the researchers within photodynamic therapy and diagnostics.

History

PhotoCure ASA was founded by Professor Vidar Hansson in 1993.