Novocure and Leading Cancer Center Enter a Preclinical Research Collaboration to Study Tumor Treating Fields
Research Will Be Performed Using Novocure’s inovitro™ System – a Laboratory Research System That Allows Researchers to Apply TTFields to Cancer Cells in Culture
ST. HELIER, Jersey–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Novocure™ (NASDAQ: NVCR) announced today that Novocure’s inovitro™ laboratory research system will be used to study Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. MD Anderson will study the effect of TTFields therapy on glioma stem-like cells to determine factors influencing sensitivity and resistance to TTFields alone and in combination with radiation therapy.
The inovitro system was developed by Novocure in 2013 and is a plug-and-play lab research tool. The system allows investigators to efficiently study the effects of different field parameters and TTFields’ synergies with various drug and radiation combinations. It consists of eight TTFields generators controlled by proprietary software with ultra-high dielectric constant ceramic petri dishes. Using inovitro, researchers can customize intensity and frequency to easily study the effect of TTFields in various cancer cells while optimizing treatment parameters and treatment combinations.
“We are honored that MD Anderson Cancer Center is collaborating with Novocure to research TTFields therapy,” said Dr. Moshe Giladi, Head of Preclinical Research at Novocure. “Such collaborations with the medical community demonstrate a growing interest in our therapy and contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of action underlying TTFields.”
MD Anderson Cancer Center is the 10th academic research center to date to study TTFields using the inovitro system.
“MD Anderson’s collection of glioma stem-like cells, which have undergone comprehensive genomic and proteomic analyses, could play an important role in the characterization of responses to TTFields combinations in cells with various properties,” said Dr. Eilon Kirson, Novocure’s Chief Science Officer and Head of Research and Development. “Such findings may even, in the future, allow for the discovery of patient-specific biomarkers for response or resistance to TTFields combinations with various therapies.”
About Tumor Treating Fields Therapy
Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy is delivered by a portable, non-invasive medical device designed for continuous use by patients. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that TTFields therapy slows and reverses tumor growth by inhibiting mitosis, the process by which cells divide and replicate. TTFields therapy creates low intensity, alternating electric fields within a tumor that exert physical forces on electrically charged cellular components, preventing the normal mitotic process and causing cancer cell death.
Approved Indications
In the United States, Optune is intended as a treatment for adult patients (22 years of age or older) with histologically-confirmed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
In the United States, Optune with temozolomide is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed, supratentorial glioblastoma following maximal debulking surgery and completion of radiation therapy together with concomitant standard of care chemotherapy.
In the United States, for the treatment of recurrent GBM, Optune is indicated following histologically-or radiologically-confirmed recurrence in the supratentorial region of the brain after receiving chemotherapy. The device is intended to be used as a monotherapy, and is intended as an alternative to standard medical therapy for GBM after surgical and radiation options have been exhausted.
In the European Union, Optune is intended for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed GBM, after surgery and radiotherapy with adjuvant temozolomide, concomitant to maintenance temozolomide. The treatment is intended for adult patients, 18 years of age or older, and should be started more than four weeks after surgery and radiation therapy with adjuvant temozolomide. Treatment may be given together with maintenance temozolomide and after maintenance temozolomide is stopped.
In the European Union, Optune is also intended for the treatment of patients with recurrent GBM who have progressed after surgery, radiotherapy and temozolomide treatment for their primary disease. The treatment is intended for adult patients, 18 years of age or older, and should be started more than 4 weeks after the latest surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Patients should only use Optune under the supervision of a physician properly trained in use of the device. Full prescribing information is available at www.optune.com/safety or by calling toll free 1-855-281-9301 in the US or by email at supportEMEA@novocure.com in the European Union.
About Novocure
Novocure is a Jersey Isle oncology company pioneering a novel therapy for solid tumors called TTFields. Novocure’s U.S. operations are based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and New York City. Additionally, the company has offices in Germany, Switzerland, and Japan and a research center in Haifa, Israel. For additional information about the company, please visit www.novocure.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/novocure.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical facts or statements of current condition, this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide Novocure’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. These may include statements regarding anticipated scientific progress on its research programs, development of potential products, interpretation of clinical results, prospects for regulatory approval, manufacturing development and capabilities, market prospects for its products, and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts. You may identify some of these forward-looking statements by the use of words in the statements such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” or other words and terms of similar meaning. Novocure’s performance and financial results could differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements due to general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions as well as more specific risks and uncertainties facing Novocure such as those set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2016, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Therefore, you should not rely on any such factors or forward-looking statements. Furthermore, Novocure does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. Any forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date hereof. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits this discussion.
Contacts
Novocure
Ashley Cordova, 212 767 7558
acordova@novocure.com