Traded as OSE: PHO Products Hexvix
Cysview Revenue 936 million NOK Number of employees 50 Headquarters Oslo, Norway, Norway | Industry Pharmaceutical Website www.photocure.com Founded 1993 Type of business Allmennaksjeselskap | |
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Key people Kjetil Hestdal (CEO), Bente-Lill Romøren (Chair) | ||
Photocure ASA is a Norwegian specialty pharma company that develops and sells pharmaceuticals and medical devices based on proprietary photodynamic technology. Photocure's strategy in cancer is to continue the commercialization 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.
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History
Photocure was founded in 1993 and the aim was to commercialize photodynamic technologies developed by the Norwegian Radium Hospital, the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Northern Europe.
In 1997 Photocure recruited the first full-time employee and started 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 FDA approved in the US in May 2010 under the trade name Cysview. Lumacan was licensed to Salix Pharmaceuticals Inc. in 2010.
In 27. September 2011 Photocure launched a new commercial strategy for Hexvix/Cysview. Photocure will commercialize Cysview directly in the US market, and continue commercialization of Hexvix in the Nordic countries. Photocure entered into a strategic collaboration with Ipsen, and Ipsen territory are countries outside USA and Nordics.
Visonac is Phase III ready in 2013, and Cevira clinical program is Phase III ready in 2014.
The launch of Cysview by partner BioSyent commenced in Canada in 2015.
Corporate structure
Photocure has over 50 employees and operates in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and the US. In 2010 Photocure established an US subsidiary, Photocure Inc.
Pharmaceuticals
Cysview (hexaminolevulinate) for diagnosis of bladder cancer. Cysview is marketed in Europe as Hexvix.
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.