SOURCE: Sagentia, Inc.

 

Photocure selected Sagentia for 'Concept to Manufacture' development of its Photodynamic Treatment (PDT) Lamp for treament of moderate to severe facial acne - available for use in Phase III clinical trials in the U.S. in the first half of 2009

MAPLE LAWN, MD--(Marketwire - December 1, 2008) - Sagentia (LSE: SAG), the world leading product development, technology consulting and IP exploitation company with U.S. offices in Maple Lawn, Maryland and corporate headquarters in Cambridge, UK, has deployed its full concept through to manufacture service to deliver the rapid development of a new Photodynamic Treatment (PDT) lamp.

Norwegian-based pharmaceutical company Photocure had identified the need for a new, large-area PDT lamp that could be used in combination with its proprietary pharmaceutical Visonac™ for the treatment of moderate to severe acne. With time to market and cost of development as key issues, the company recognized that a highly focused development program would be required. The goal was to achieve a production-ready device for planned Phase III clinical trials starting in the first half of 2009.

Photocure chose Sagentia as its development partner due to the company's track record in the medical device sector, its ability to offer a rapid concept to manufacture development program and the assurance that Sagentia could offer through its accreditation to ISO 13485 (the medical device quality management standard).

The fully developed lamp -- known as Aktilite® CL512 -- comprises two light panels with 512 Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that deliver a controlled dose of red light. The panels can be adjusted to treat either the face or flat areas such as the chest or back. A mobile stand and articulating support arm are used to position the lamp over the treatment area.

Based on Photocure's Intellectual Property (IP) and product requirements, Sagentia undertook a complete concept to manufacture product development program comprising analytical modelling to identify the best technical concept; all mechanical, electronics, software and optical development work; validation and optimisation of advanced design concepts with clinical stakeholders; the establishment of an extended production supply chain in the Far East; approvals testing for EU and U.S. regulatory requirements; and finally transfer to production using Photocure's existing European sub-contract manufacturer.

Photocure required a large area PDT lamp that could provide uniform illumination of the whole face. To meet this need, Sagentia developed a 3-Dimensional (3D) optical model to simulate illumination across the entire face and investigate the performance of different product concepts. Sagentia's 3D model was able to determine that full face illumination could be achieved using just two angled lamp panels rather than the three to five previously considered necessary.

At key points during the development program, Sagentia solicited feedback from clinical / nursing professionals to ensure that user requirements were correctly identified and validated. This included one-to-one clinician interviews, focus groups to explore the range of product concepts and usability workshops to validate prototype designs.

One of the primary reasons for the rapid and successful conclusion of the project was Sagentia's ability to manage and coordinate a multi-disciplinary in-house team of engineers, scientists and technologists, many with direct medical device development experience. This extended from initial product conceptualization through to the establishment of a Far East network of suppliers. Sagentia's expertise in this area enabled the company to build a supply chain for low volume, high quality mechanical parts at 40 per cent of the cost of equivalent European items.

Kjetil Hestdal, President and CEO of Photocure, said, "The Aktilite® CL512 lamp is an essential component of the Visonac™ photodynamic therapy procedure and I am pleased that, as a result of Sagentia's swift and successful product development program, it is available for use in the Phase III trials."

About Photocure

Photocure ASA is a Norwegian pharmaceutical company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The company develops and sells pharmaceuticals and medical devices based on proprietary photodynamic technology, targeting key dermatological and oncology markets. Photocure develops Visonac™ a treatment for moderate to severe acne. The phase II studies have been completed in 2008 and the phase III program is scheduled to start in 2009 after being discussed with EU/US regulatory authorities.

www.photocure.com

About Sagentia

Sagentia creates, develops and delivers business opportunities, products and services for its clients.

Established in 1986, Sagentia operates in six global market sectors -- medical, industrial products, consumer products, chemicals, materials & energy, telecoms & media and public sector -- developing new technologies, products and services that change the basis of competition. The company also assists business leaders to create strategies for technology, innovation and growth.

Sagentia's resources are situated in state-of-the-art facilities in Europe, the U.S. and China. The Group is listed on AIM (LSE: SAG) and has more than 200 employees.

www.sagentia.com

info@sagentia.com