Blue Light Cystoscopy demonstrates cost neutrality through reduced recurrence in real-world BRAVO study
Oslo, Norway, April 7, 2026: Photocure ASA (OSE: PHO), the Bladder Cancer Company, announces publication of results from the BRAVO study in the peer-reviewed journal Urological Oncology this week, titled “COSTS OF CARE AND ONCOLOGIC OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH BLUE LIGHT CYSTOSCOPY IN AN EQUAL ACCESS SETTING: RESULTS FROM THE BRAVO STUDY”. The study demonstrates that Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC®) achieves cost neutrality over time compared to White Light Cystoscopy (WLC) in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), despite higher initial treatment costs, driven by lower recurrence rates and reduced downstream costs of care.
BRAVO (Bladder Cancer Recurrence Analysis in Veterans and Outcomes) is a propensity score matched retrospective real-world evidence (RWE) study evaluating outcomes following BLC compared to WLC alone in 622 patients from the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. The analysis compared total healthcare costs over 1, 2, and 5-year periods, incorporating the economic impact of disease recurrence in a longitudinal, equal-access care setting.
In this real-world analysis:
- Initial costs were higher with BLC, primarily reflecting increased use of intravesical therapies and closer surveillance
- Lower recurrence rates in BLC patients reduced the need for repeat procedures and subsequent treatments
- Over time, these downstream savings offset the higher upfront investment, resulting in total adjusted costs approaching net neutrality compared to WLC
The Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Healthcare system, which provides equal access to care and enables long-term patient follow-up, offers a robust real-world model to assess both clinical and economic outcomes.
The findings from the BRAVO study reinforce the clinical and economic value of BLC. By reducing recurrence, BLC not only improves patient outcomes but also helps optimize total cost of care over time. This study adds to the growing body of real-world evidence supporting broader adoption of BLC as a standard of care in NMIBC management.
Read the full publication here: Costs of care and oncologic outcomes associated with blue light cystoscopy in an equal access setting: Results from the BRAVO study - ScienceDirect
For more information, please contact:
Dan Schneider
President and CEO
Photocure ASA
Email: ds@photocure.com
Erik Dahl
CFO
Photocure ASA
Tel: +47 45055000
Email: ed@photocure.com
Priyam Shah
Vice President Investor Relations
Tel: +17176815072
Email: priyam.shah@photocure.com
Media and IR enquiries:
Geir Bjørlo
Corporate Communications (Norway)
Tel: +47 91540000
Email: geir.bjorlo@corpcom.no
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About Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer ranks as the 8th most common cancer worldwide – the 5th most common in men – with 1 949 000 prevalent cases (5-year prevalence rate)1a, 614 000 new cases and more than 220 000 deaths in 2022.1b
Approx. 75% of all bladder cancer cases occur in men.1 It has a high recurrence rate with up to 61% in year one and up to 78% over five years.2 Bladder cancer has the highest lifetime treatment costs per patient of all cancers.3
Bladder cancer is a costly, potentially progressive disease for which patients have to undergo multiple cystoscopies due to the high risk of recurrence. There is an urgent need to improve both the diagnosis and the management of bladder cancer for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems alike.
Bladder cancer is classified into two types, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), depending on the depth of invasion in the bladder wall. NMIBC remains in the inner layer of cells lining the bladder. These cancers are the most common (75%) of all BC cases and include the subtypes Ta, carcinoma in situ (CIS) and T1 lesions. In MIBC the cancer has grown into deeper layers of the bladder wall. These cancers, including subtypes T2, T3 and T4, are more likely to spread and are harder to treat.4
1 Globocan. a) 5-year prevalence / b) incidence/mortality by population. Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed [February 2024].
2 Babjuk M, et al. Eur Urol. 2019; 76(5): 639-657
3 Sievert KD et al. World J Urol 2009;27:295–300
4 Bladder Cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer.html
About Hexvix®/Cysview® (hexaminolevulinate HCl)
Hexvix/Cysview is a drug that preferentially accumulates in cancer cells in the bladder, making them glow bright pink during Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC®). BLC with Hexvix/Cysview, compared to standard white light cystoscopy alone, improves the detection of tumors and leads to more complete resection, fewer residual tumors, and better management decisions.
Cysview is the tradename in the U.S. and Canada, Hexvix is the tradename in all other markets. Photocure is commercializing Cysview/Hexvix directly in the U.S. and Europe and has strategic partnerships for the commercialization of Hexvix/Cysview in China, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and Israel. Please refer to https://photocure.com/partners/our-partners for further information on our commercial partners.
The following safety information is solely included to comply with U.S. regulatory requirements: Important Risk & Safety Information for Cysview® (hexaminolevulinate HCl)
About Photocure ASA
Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making 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/news.