SpectraCure is developing the future systems for the treatment of internal solid cancer tumours. The goal of the proprietary and patented treatment system is to eliminate deep-seated cancer tumours and prolong the survival of cancer patients while maintaining their quality of life. When prostate cancer recurs, there are often no established treatment options other than lifelong hormone therapy, with its associated side effects.
The company has its roots in research at Lund University and the technology is based on long scientific research and clinical treatments with PDT, photodynamic tumour therapy at Lund University Hospital. Globally, a total of about one million PDT treatments for skin tumours are performed annually. SpectraCure has further developed this method for the treatment of internal solid tumours. The company’s interstitial PDT system with its proprietary IDOSE® software is a completely new medical technology system for treatment planning and dose delivery of laser light.
We are working to obtain market approval for the treatment system in both the North American and European markets. This is to give patients with recurrent prostate cancer after previous radiotherapy a better treatment than what is currently offered.
We are currently conducting a clinical trial for the treatment of recurrent prostate cancer patients. Product approval for market launch will only take place after a successfully completed phase 3 trial. A phase 3 trial is designed to confirm the clinical benefit of the treatment in relation to its clinical risk, in a larger number of patients.
Our strategy is to engage leading key clinics in our clinical trials and, through these reference clinics, to build clinical evidence, disseminate knowledge and achieve clinical acceptance of the treatment. It is crucial to have the results of the trials published and presented by influential urologists for the treatment to achieve a breakthrough.
Our intention is to engage with global industrial partners with the aim of gaining additional support and resources in our commercialisation process.
We have currently decided to focus on prostate cancer recurrence, but eventually aim to be able to treat primary prostate cancer and other cancer diagnoses, such as breast, pancreatic, head and neck cancer. The vision is that these treatments could also be offered as an alternative to radiotherapy and surgery.
BUSINESS MODEL
The system is placed at the customer’s site for a low cost, providing a reduced barrier to entry. Through the sale of sterile disposable equipment with an associated code to carry out a treatment, recurring income is then generated, as the customer pays per treatment.
The ambition is to partner with one or more major global actors, for example through licensing agreements, to gain support and resources on the path to market.
GROWING GLOBAL MARKET
Prostate cancer affects 700,000 people annually in the US and Europe. Of these, about 10% relapse after radiotherapy. The global prostate cancer market is growing and is estimated to be worth around $100 billion by 2026. The market is growing as more and more men are affected by prostate cancer, mainly due to an increase in life expectancy. The value of the market is also increasing as a result of more high cost, sophisticated treatments reaching the market.
SpectraCure utvecklar ett behandlingsystem för eliminering av inre solida cancertumörer. Vi fokuserar initialt på återfallscancer i prostata, med en förhoppning att i framtiden även kunna behandla andra cancerformer som primär prostatacancer. Metoden bygger ett egenutvecklat och patenterat behandlingsystem – en laserenhet som utför PDT-behandling och behandlar själva prostatan i kombination med en patenterad dosplaneringsplattform IDOSE®. Metoden gör det möjligt att styra laserljusdosen så att tumören exponeras för en optimal dos för att uppnå tillräcklig behandlingseffekt. Behandlingsystemet har potential att göra interstitiell PDT-behandling noggrann, exakt och säker för varje patient.