On May 7, 2024 IceCure Medical Ltd. (Nasdaq: ICCM) ("IceCure" or the "Company"), developer of the ProSense System, a minimally-invasive cryoablation technology that destroys tumors by freezing as an alternative to surgical tumor removal, reported that positive data from an independent study (the "Study") performed in Japan was published in an article titled "Percutaneous ultrasound–guided cryoablation for early–stage primary breast cancer: a follow–up study in Japan," in the journal Breast Cancer on April 27, 2024 (Press release, IceCure Medical, MAY 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234642815]). The Study, which focused on the local control of cancer, safety, patient quality of life, patient satisfaction, and cosmetic outcomes of cryoablation for patients with early-stage breast cancer, is the continuation of a prior pilot study that demonstrated percutaneous cryoablation treated with ProSense is a potential standard treatment for early-stage breast cancer patients, given compliance to pre-defined patient selection criteria.
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
The Study was led by Dr. Hisanori Kawamoto, M.D., Ph.D. from the Department of Breast Surgery, Breast and Imaging Center at St. Marianna University School of Medicine in Japan. Eighteen early-stage breast cancer patients, with a mean age of 59.0 [±9.0 years], with a mean tumor size of 9.8 ±2.3 mm, who underwent treatment with ProSense were followed for a mean of 44.3 months. No patients had local recurrence or distant metastasis in the 5-year follow-up. No serious adverse events were reported. Cosmetic outcomes were excellent and the overall patient satisfaction level and patient quality of life improved post-cryoablation.
The article states that minimally invasive non-surgical techniques, including cryoablation, aim for curative outcomes while also acknowledging the importance of preserving or enhancing the quality of life and cosmetic appearance following the procedure. The authors of the Study refer to recent trials, including IceCure’s ICE3 trial, for evidence that cryoablation results in local cancer control rates comparable to lumpectomies in early-stage breast cancer patients.
Dr. Kawamoto commented, "This is a very important study in Japan, where we are experiencing an upward trend in breast cancer cases, especially among women in their late 40s to early 60s. These are women who often are at very active stages of their life and therefore there is a growing demand for treatment options that minimize the chance of or avoid hospitalization, in addition to resulting in favorable clinical and cosmetic outcomes. We are very pleased with these results and are hopeful that ProSense may become a favored option in Japan upon regulatory approval for early-stage breast cancer."
"We thank Dr. Kawamoto and his colleagues for conducting this independent study, which adds to the growing body of efficacy and safety data for ProSense as a minimally-invasive option for early-stage breast cancer," stated IceCure CEO, Eyal Shamir. "We anticipate that our in-country distribution partner, Terumo Corporation, will file for regulatory clearance of ProSense for breast cancer in Japan later this year, which may soon lead to the approval and commercialization for it in a market where there is high demand for a minimally-invasive option."
Terumo Corporation owns the exclusive distribution rights for ProSense in Japan for a 5-year term following regulatory approval. In exchange for exclusive distribution rights, IceCure is expected to receive a total of $13.2 million in proceeds from Terumo during this initial term, of which it has received $4 million to date, with an additional $8.2 million expected upon the completion of orders, as well as $1 million expected for milestone-based payments.
About ProSense
The ProSense Cryoablation System provides a minimally invasive treatment option to destroy tumors by freezing them. The system uniquely harnesses the power of liquid nitrogen to create large lethal zones for maximum efficacy in tumor destruction in benign and cancerous lesions, including breast, kidney, lung, and liver.
ProSense enhances patient and provider value by accelerating recovery, reducing pain, surgical risks, and complications. With its easy, transportable design and liquid nitrogen utilization, ProSense opens that door to fast and convenient office-based procedure for breast tumors.