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TOP STORIES BUSINESS IP The United States Patent
and Trademark Office has granted a US Patent covering the use of Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC) with Hexvix as neoadjuvant therapy in the treatment of bladder cancer in patients who are scheduled for a cystectomy. Color amet this Pelle Redare CEO, iCellate A NEOADJUVANT THERAPY is a treatment (such as chemotherapy) administered before primary cancer treatment (such as surgery) to enhance the outcome of primary treatment. Early stage study results have shown an anti-tumor effect and induced systemic immune effects of hexaminolevulinate (HAL) and blue light in an orthotopic model of rat bladder cancer. Photocure has the intention to further investigate Hexvix for its therapeutic effect and the patent is a result of Photocure’s continued focus on securing intellectual property rights for its research results and pipeline activities. NEW MA RK E T The patent will expire in December 2036. The company has together with the Swiss company Elthera received a grant from Eurostars to develop a new second generation immunotherapy drug for pancreatic and ovarian cancers. A NEOADJUVANT THERAPY IS A TREATMENT (SUCH AS IN THE EVALUATION process Eurostars rated iCellate’s project as the most interesting among all Swedish applicants. Across Europe it was ranked sixth out of 369 total applicants. The Swedish government agency, Vinnova, will aid Eurostars locally with both payments and follow-ups. iCellate will be a crucial partner in Elthera’s drive to bring their pharmaceutical, Elmab, to market. The Eurostars grant will further enable iCellate to deliver liquid biopsy solutions to Elthera, providing the company with a companion diagnostic tool to match the right patients to their immunotherapy drug. The Eurostar grant-funded project is scheduled to commence in June 2020. Once the project is completed, the drug will be ready for clinical testing. CHEMOTHERAPY ) ADMINISTRATED BEFORE PRIMARY CANCER TREATMENT (SUCH AS SURGERY) TO ENHANCE THE OUTCOME OF PRIMARY TREATMENT. 18 NORDICLIFESCIENCE.ORG