New Data on NovoTTF™ Therapy to be Presented at the 2012 SNO Meeting

PORTSMOUTH, N.H., Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Novocure™, a commercial stage private oncology company, announced today that preclinical and clinical data from studies evaluating NovoTTF™ Therapy will be presented at the 17th Annual Scientific Meeting and Education Day of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) in Washington, D.C.

The data presented sheds light on the subcellular mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effect of NovoTTF Therapy and helps define which recurrent GBM patients respond best to this novel treatment modality.

"We made significant progress in 2012 conducting and supporting research that has the potential to improve the lives of cancer patients around the world," said Eilon Kirson, M.D., Ph.D., Novocure's Chief Science Officer and Head of Research and Development.  "We are pleased to present additional clinical data at SNO from the EF-11 pivotal trial, as well as to announce two presentations of pre-clinical data further examining the mechanism of action and efficacy of NovoTTF Therapy."

Detailed information about the NovoTTF Therapy presentations are listed below:

Date & Time: November 16, 2012, 7pm – 9pm
Title: Analysis of the response profile to NovoTTF-100A treatment in patients with recurrent GBM: Time to effect, response duration and transient progressions in the EF-11 phase III trial
Poster: NO-47
Presenter: Eric T. Wong, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA

Date & Time: November 16, 2012, 7pm – 9pm
Title: Efficacy of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) and/or radiotherapy (RT) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells
Poster: ET-30
Presenter: Katarzyna Zielinska-Chomej, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

Date & Time: November 17, 2012, 5:15pm – 7:15pm
Title: Mitosis Interference of Cancer Cells by NovoTTF-100A Causes Decreased Cellular Viability
Poster: CB-13
Presenter: Sze Xian Lee, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA

In addition to the data presentations, Novocure will be sponsoring a symposium titled "A New Cancer Treatment Modality: Going Beyond Pharmacology with Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields)" presented by Eric T. Wong, M.D. (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) and Manmeet Ahluwalia, M.D., (Cleveland Clinic) on November 17^th from 12pm to 1pm. The symposium will provide clinical perspectives for incorporating the NovoTTF™-100A System into the treatment paradigm for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

About Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive and most common form of primary brain tumor in the U.S. The disease affects approximately 10,000 Americans each year.  Historically, based on literature, the median overall survival time from initial diagnosis is 15 months with optimal treatment, and median survival from the time of tumor recurrence is only 3-5 months without additional effective treatment.  The disease is widely recognized as one of the deadliest forms of cancer.

About the NovoTTF-100A System
NovoTTF-100A System is a wearable, non-invasive medical device designed for continuous use throughout the day by the patient.  The device has been shown in both in vitro and in vivo studies to slow and reverse tumor growth by inhibiting mitosis, the process by which cells divide and replicate.  The NovoTTF-100A System, which weighs about six pounds (three kilograms), creates a low intensity, alternating electric field within the tumor that exerts physical forces on electrically charged cellular components, preventing the normal mitotic process and causing cancer cell death prior to division.  In patients with recurrent glioblastoma brain tumors, the device has shown clinical efficacy comparable to that of active chemotherapies with better quality of life and without many of the side effects of chemotherapy.  The NovoTTF-100A System has received marketing approval in the US and is a CE Marked device that is cleared for sale in Europe.

Approved Indication
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the NovoTTF-100A System for use as a treatment for adult patients (22 years of age or older) with histologically-confirmed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), following histologically – or radiologically-confirmed recurrence in the supra-tentorial region of the brain after receiving chemotherapy.  The device is intended to be used as monotherapy, and is intended as an alternative to standard medical therapy for GBM after surgical and radiation options have been exhausted.

Patients should only use the NovoTTF-100A System under the supervision of a physician properly trained in use of the device. Full prescribing information is available at www.novottftherapy.com.

About Novocure
Novocure Limited is a private oncology company dedicated to pioneering the discovery and development of a novel therapy for solid tumors called NovoTTF Therapy that provides physicians and patients with a simple, predictable and empowering approach to treating solid tumors.  Novocure's worldwide headquarters is located in the Jersey Isle.  Novocure's U.S. operations are based in Portsmouth, NH and the company's research center is located in Haifa, Israel.  For additional information about the company, please visit www.novocure.com

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SOURCE Novocure