Photocure Partner Asieris announces coverage of Hexvix by the Lecheng Global Specialty Drug Insurance
Press release – Oslo, Norway, September 15, 2022: Photocure ASA (PHO: OSE), The Bladder Cancer Company, announces that its partner Asieris Pharmaceuticals (SSE: 688176) has communicated today on the inclusion of Hexvix® in the 2022 edition of the Lecheng Global Specialty Drug Insurance Specialty Drug List.
As a new specialty drug benefit plan developed under the guidance of the government covering 40 domestic specialty drugs and 60 overseas specialty drugs, the Lecheng Global Specialty Drug Insurance allows Hainan citizens access to more advanced medical resources and comprehensive coverage of their medical needs.
In December 2021, Hexvix received initial clinical use in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan Province when the first prescription in China was issued at Hainan General Hospital, and the first patient procedure was completed. Asieris received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for Hexvix to be included in phase III clinical trials in the first quarter of 2022 as well as a real-world clinical data pilot study.
Asieris expects the incorporation of Hexvix into the Lecheng Global Specialty Drug Insurance to help them explore innovative access models, so that innovative drugs can be introduced into China and covered by commercial insurance earlier and faster.
Read Asieris’ full media release here: Hexvix®, A Diagnostic Drug of Asieris, is Now Covered by the 2022 Lecheng Global Specialty Drug Insurance - Asieris Pharmaceuticals
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About Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer ranks as the 8th most common cancer worldwide – the 5th most common in men – with 1 720 000 prevalent cases (5-year prevalence rate)1a, 573 000 new cases and more than 200 000 deaths annually in 2020.1b
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 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 [January 2022].
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 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 Isreal. Please refer to https://photocure.com/partners/our-partners for further information on our commercial partners.
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, www.hexvix.com, www.cysview.com