Novocure, the global oncology company based in Root in the canton of Lucerne, has been given the green light to commercialize its glioblastoma (GBM) therapy in Canada. The Canadian regulatory authority, Health Canada, has awarded the relevant authorization for Optune, as the therapy is known, further details of which can be found in a press release. According to the information, to date, more than 25,000 patients have been treated with Optune around the world.
Optune is a small, lightweight, wearable and portable device that generates electric fields known as Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields). With their physical powers, these are able to disrupt the division of cancer cells. Optune is the first treatment for this most common and particularly aggressive form of primary brain cancer to be approved in Canada in 12 years.
“It is well established that glioblastoma treatment is a high unmet medical need”, comments Dr. David Roberge, Professor of Radiology, Radiation Oncology & Nuclear at the CHUM Research Centre and Future President of the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology, in the press release. “The approval of Optune can offer a real benefit to Canadian patients”, he adds.
Novocure is now busy in its efforts to secure reimbursement through both public and private insurance policies as quickly as possible, according to Pritesh Shah, Chief Commercial Officer at Novocure. “We are proud to have reached this milestone as a company and are committed to making our therapy available to all the patients who may benefit throughout the world”, Shah explains.
Novocure has been active in Canada since 2013 and opened an office in Montreal in November of this year.
