Oslo, Norway, 8 February 2002.
PhotoCure ASA announced today that it has received marketing authorisation for Metvix® PDT (Photodynamic Therapy) in New Zealand. The authorities have approved Metvix® PDT for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in patients where traditional therapies are considered unsuitable due to possible complications, scarring and disfiguration.
The marketing authorisation application was granted only 10 months after submission and New Zealand is the first country outside Europe to approve Metvix® PDT.
Metvix® PDT was first approved in Sweden and recently also approved in 13 additional European countries. Applications are pending in Australia, USA and Switzerland. PhotoCure has licensed the rights to promote and sell Metvix® PDT outside the Nordic area to Galderma S.A.