Photocure is a Norwegian pharmaceutical company focusing on the use of photodynamic technology (Photocure Technology™) to detect and cure diseases. Photocure was founded in 1993 by the Norwegian Radium Hospital and the first employee was hired in 1997. Today, the company operates in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland and is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE).
Photocures strategy is to develop new and innovative products for unmet medical needs based on the company's patented Photocure technology™, targetting key dermatology and oncology markets. This technology combines a drug, known as a photosensitiser, with a light source that activates the photosensitiser. This enables more targettet treatment and earlier and more accurate treatment.
Photocure’s marketing strategy is to market and sell in the Nordic region and to sign licensing agreements for marketing and distribution outside this region. In January 2006, Photocure licensed Hexvix® to GE Healthcare, a global leader in imaging.
Photocure has one product with marketing authorisation:
- Hexvix®, for the detection of bladder cancer
Photocure relies on outsourcing when it comes to production and R&D, but always tightly controlled by internal project management.
Photocure is currently evaluating its patented photodynamic technology for other diseases such as acne, sun-damaged skin, pre-malignant cervix lesions/HPV-infections and colon cancer (see pipeline).