Photocure is a Norwegian pharmaceutical company focusing on the use of photodynamic technology. Photocure was founded in 1993 by the Norwegian Radium Hospital with the first employee being hired in 1997. Today, the company has over 50 highly competent employees, including several employees holding Ph.D.s, and operates in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and the US.
Photocure’s strategy is to build a specialty pharma company by developing and commercialising new and innovative products based on its patented photodynamic technology.
Photocure’s strategy in dermatology is to continue the development of the dermatology portfolio, with Allumera® and Visonac® and other new dermatology products, and build a commercial platform in the US. Photocure's strategy in cancer is to continue the commercialisation of Hexvix® for bladder cancer diagnostics, and continue the development of the cancer portfolio and out-license prior to phase III studies. This strategy is based on a strong platform of intellectual property in photodynamic therapy.
In January 2006, Photocure licensed Hexvix® to GE Healthcare, a global leader in imaging. Lumacan® was licensed to Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in October 2010.
Photocure relies on outsourcing when it comes to production and R&D, but it is tightly controlled by internal project management.
Photocure is currently evaluating its patented photodynamic technology for several diseases such as acne, pre-malignant cervix lesions/HPV-infections, colon cancer and for improving the appearance of the skin.