Photocure ASA (Photocure), an in vitro diagnostics company, has reported sales revenues of NOK29.1 million for the first quarter of 2009, up 36%, compared with the sales revenues of NOK21.4 million in the year-ago quarter. It has also reported a net loss of NOK8.6 million for the first quarter of 2009, compared with the net loss of NOK20 million in the year-ago quarter.

The main items in the report are:

Highlights

Operating profit improved by NOK16.7 million to NOK-5.7 million (NOK-22.5 million)

Liquid funds amounted to NOK161.9 million at the end of the period.

Cevira – patient recruitment started in phase I/II study for photodynamic treatment of precancerous lesions of the cervix.

Lumacan – patient recruitment started in phase I/II study for photodynamic detection of colon cancer using an oral capsule as administration of the drug.

Photocure won a patent case extending the patent on Metvixia™ in the USA until July 2018.

President and chief executive officer of Photocure, Kjetil Hestdal MD, PhD, says in a comment to the results, “We are pleased to present another quarter with growth in sales of Hexvix and Metvix/Aktilite.

Photocure has now a positive contribution to the operating profit in the Nordic region, reflecting the previous investment in marketing and sales.”