PhotoCure and Galderma free to market Metvix® in Australia
Oslo, Norway, 6 April 2005
PhotoCure ASA and Galderma S.A. announce today that they are free to use Metvix in Australia, after successfully defending an infringement claim. The claim, made by DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc, involved an Australian patent relating to a method for photodynamic therapy using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). Metvix, PhotoCure's product for treatment of skin diseases uses methylaminolevulinate. Australia's Federal Court has found that the marketing and use of Metvix in Australia does not infringe the patent.
Whilst DUSA's patent was held to be valid, this does not interfere with the marketing or use of Metvix in Australia.
President and CEO of PhotoCure, Kjetil Hestdal comments: "We are pleased that the Australian court concluded that Metvix does not infringe DUSA's patent and that Metvix can be marketed and sold in Australia. Metvix is already launched in Australia by Galderma, and the product has been well accepted by Australian dermatologists."