Oslo, Norway, April 9, 2019:
Photocure ASA (PHO:OSE) today announces that Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLCT)
procedures with Hexvix® will be reimbursed in Australia from May 1, 2019,
following new listings from the Australian Government Department of Health.
"The new listings from the Australian Government Department of Health is an
important recognition and a promising first step in our efforts to achieve full
reimbursement, making Hexvix accessible to more patients in Australia. Photocure
sees great opportunities in Australia and our partner Juno will be applying for
reimbursement of the drug in the near future," says Dan Schneider, President and
CEO of Photocure.
Blue Light Cystoscopy with hexaminolevulinate for improved diagnosis, treatment
and management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer will from May 1,2019 be
listed under new medical benefit schedule (MBS) items giving additional fees for
the use of Hexvix with rigid cystoscopes compared to white light rigid
cystoscopy alone.
Four new MBS items have been established specifically for Hexvix rigid
cystoscopy: Two covering Hexvix rigid cystoscopy with biopsy and ureteroscopy,
and two covering rigid cystoscopy with resection.
"When Blue Light Cystoscopy with Hexvix is used with a rigid cystoscope the
providers will bill and get reimbursement for the instillation procedure. This
is an additional reimbursement compared to using white light cystoscopy alone,
and an instillation specific fee for the BLC procedure. We look forward to
continuing to work with Juno and the Australian authorities towards our goal of
full reimbursement", Schneider concludes.
Link to announcement (https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2019L00502)
About Hexvix®/Cysview® (hexaminolevulinate HCl)
Hexvix®/Cysview® is a drug that is selectively taken up by tumor cells in the
bladder making them glow bright pink during Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLCTM). 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 US and Canada, Hexvix® is the tradename in all
other markets. Photocure is commercializing Cysview® /Hexvix® directly in the US
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.
All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law and are registered
trademarks of Photocure ASA.
For more information, please contact:
Dan Schneider
President and CEO
Photocure ASA
Tel: + 1-609 759-6515
Email: ds@photocure.com
Erik Dahl
CFO
Photocure ASA
Tel: +4745055000
Email: ed@photocure.com
About Photocure ASA
Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to
improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, which makes
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 or www.cysview.com