Update on BLC™ with Hexvix® from The Australian Government Department of Health
Oslo, Norway, April 9, 2019:
Photocure ASA (PHO:OSE) today announces that Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC™) 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.
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). BLC™ 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