Photocure ASA, a Norwegian company focused on bladder cancer solutions, has announced the commercial availability of Karl Storz's New Blue Light equipment powered by Saphira technology in the United States. The launch represents a significant advancement in blue light cystoscopy (BLC) technology for detecting non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).
The collaboration between Photocure and Karl Storz aims to commercialize this high-definition system that enhances visualization during transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT). According to Geoff Coy, Vice President and General Manager for North America at Photocure, "Orders for the new Saphira system appear to be outpacing orders from the past signaling pent up demand for the advanced technology."
Strong Market Demand Signals Technology Adoption
Karl Storz has begun fulfilling Obsolescence Protection Program orders for customers who purchased New Blue Light system upgrades in the previous year. The company expects to begin filling new account orders in the fourth quarter of 2022, with Coy noting that "Given the strong demand, we continue to believe that BLC is on its way to becoming the standard of care for endoscopic visualization of bladder cancer."
Ken Pugh, Head of North America Marketing and Alliance Management at Photocure, emphasized the clinical interest in the technology: "Uro-oncologists and their staff have expressed a strong desire to have the New Blue Light system at their hospitals." The company is working to ensure availability for all appropriate NMIBC patients.
Clinical Benefits and Expert Perspectives
The New Blue Light system works in conjunction with Cysview (hexaminolevulinate HCl), a drug that preferentially accumulates in bladder cancer cells, causing them to glow bright pink during blue light cystoscopy. This enhanced visualization, compared to standard white light cystoscopy alone, improves tumor detection and leads to more complete resection, fewer residual tumors, and better management decisions.
To showcase the system's clinical benefits, Karl Storz hosted a virtual launch event featuring Dr. Sia Daneshmand from the University of Southern California and Dr. Kristin Scarpato from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Both experts discussed the advantages of the New Blue Light system over the original system for TURBT procedures.
Addressing Critical Medical Need
The launch addresses a significant medical need, as bladder cancer ranks as the 8th most common cancer worldwide and 5th most common in men, with 1.72 million prevalent cases and 573,000 new cases reported in 2020. Approximately 75% of all bladder cancer cases occur in men, and the disease has a notably high recurrence rate with up to 61% in the first year and up to 78% over five years.
Bladder cancer presents unique challenges for healthcare systems, having the highest lifetime treatment costs per patient of all cancers. The disease requires patients to undergo multiple cystoscopies due to high recurrence risk, creating an urgent need for improved diagnostic and management approaches.
Technology and Market Position
Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, which remains in the inner layer of cells lining the bladder, represents 75% of all bladder cancer cases and includes subtypes Ta, carcinoma in situ (CIS), and T1 lesions. The New Blue Light system specifically targets this patient population, where improved detection can significantly impact treatment outcomes.
Photocure commercializes Cysview directly in the United States and Europe, while maintaining strategic partnerships for Hexvix commercialization in China, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel. The company positions itself as "The Bladder Cancer Company," focusing on transformative solutions to improve patient outcomes through its unique cancer cell visualization technology.
