Novocure’s electric fields device approved for treating lung cancer in Japan

The gadget is also FDA-certified and has received a stamp of approval from EU regulators

Rowan Dunne

Published

6 hours ago

Swiss medtech operator Novocure Ltd (NASDAQ: NVCR) will soon have its lung cancer treatment device available throughout Japan.

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare just gave its authorization for the company’s “Optune Lua” Tumor Treating Fields gadget. Its electric fields technology is proven to be capable of killing cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue intact.

Optune Lua specifically targets non-small cell lung cancer patients who have undergone unsuccessful chemotherapy treatment. This type of lung cancer is the world’s most prevalent, accounting for more than 8 out of 10 cases.

Approximately 120,000 Japanese residents are diagnosed every year, as highlighted by Novocure in a news release on Sept. 15.

The news follows Novocure securing FDA approval for Optune Lua last fall and CE mark approval from European Union regulators in April. It also proceeds a successful late-state clinical study.

“The Phase 3 LUNAR trial showed that use of Optune Lua resulted in improved overall survival rates without severe side effects, resulting in a significant benefit for patients with this aggressive disease,” said Japanese doctor Tetsuya Mitsudomi in Novocure’s announcement.

The American investment bank Ladenburg Thalmann gave Novocure a Buy rating and US$30-dollar share target following the development.

Novocure also fights mesothelioma & brain cancer

Lung cancer isn’t the only indication the company’s wearable technology is utilized for. It is also used to treat a rare cancer that generally impacts the tissue surrounding the lungs. In extremely rare cases, mesothelioma can also form in the heart, adomen or testicles.

Furthermore, Novocure’s sister device that harnesses the same electric fields tech, Optune Gio, is tailored to fight brain tumours. Late last month, the medtech system became available for glioblastoma patients through Spain’s National Health System.

“The expanded coverage will help more patients benefit from TTFields therapy,” said Novocure Spain’s General Manager, Alvaro Nunez, on Aug. 25.

In Q2, Novocure pulled US$9.5 million from Japanese customers purchasing the Optune Gio gadget.

Pancreatic cancer is another disease that Optune Lua is being evaluated for. Novocure submitted a premarket approval application to the FDA for this indication on Aug. 20.

Optune Lua and Optune Gio weigh just under three pounds, making transportation relatively convenient.