NovoCure Release: International Journal Of Cancer Publishes Data Showing Tumor Treating Fields In Combination With Paclitaxel Is Therapeutically Effective Against Ovarian Cancer Cells In Vitro And In Vivo

Novocure has completed enrollment of a phase 2 pilot trial in ovarian cancer and will present data on Dec. 12, 2016

ST. HELIER, JERSEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) announced today that data showing Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) in combination with paclitaxel is therapeutically effective against ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo has been published by the International Journal of Cancer. This Novocure preclinical research is the first to demonstrate that TTFields in combination with paclitaxel may be a potentially effective strategy for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

“Novocure is committed to increasing the understanding of the mechanisms of action and potential clinical utility of TTFields in multiple solid tumors through the presentation and peer-reviewed publication of high quality data.”

In vitro application of TTFields alone to human ovarian cancer cell lines led to significant reductions in cell counts compared to untreated cells. TTFields treatment combined with paclitaxel resulted in additive and even synergistic efficacy depending on the ovarian cell line treated. In vivo, TTFields plus paclitaxel led to a significantly larger anti-tumor effect than either treatment alone.

Novocure also examined the feasibility of local delivery of TTFields to the human abdomen using finite element mesh simulations, a commonly used technique for calculating electric field distribution in complex geometries like the human body. These simulations demonstrated that electric fields intensities inside and in the vicinity of the ovaries are within the range of intensities required for effective treatment with TTFields.

“Treatment with TTFields is broadly applicable and has shown a consistent antimitotic effect in our preclinical and clinical research over the last 16 years,” said Eilon Kirson, Novocure’s Chief Science Officer and Head of Research and Development. “Novocure is committed to increasing the understanding of the mechanisms of action and potential clinical utility of TTFields in multiple solid tumors through the presentation and peer-reviewed publication of high quality data.”

Based on these preclinical results, Novocure initiated the INNOVATE trial, an open-label, phase 2 pilot study of TTFields in combination with weekly paclitaxel for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer. The INNOVATE trial is fully enrolled, and Novocure expects to share data at its research and development day on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016.

About Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women in the United States. The National Cancer Institute estimated that in 2015, there were approximately 21,000 new cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed and approximately 14,000 deaths in the United States. Ovarian cancer incidence increases with age, and the median age at time of diagnosis is 63 years old. The five-year survival rate is 44 percent, and the majority of patients present at advanced stage with 60 percent having metastatic disease. TTFields therapy is not approved for the treatment of ovarian cancer by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The safety and effectiveness of TTFields therapy for ovarian cancer has not been established.

About Novocure

Novocure is a commercial-stage oncology company developing a novel, proprietary therapy called Tumor Treating Fields, or TTFields, for the treatment of solid tumor cancers. Headquartered in Jersey, Novocure has U.S. operations in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Malvern, Pennsylvania, and New York City. Additionally, the company has offices in Germany, Switzerland and Japan, and a research center in Haifa, Israel. For additional information about the company, please visit www.novocure.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/novocure.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical facts or statements of current condition, this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide Novocure’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. These may include statements regarding anticipated scientific progress on its research programs, development of potential products, interpretation of clinical results, prospects for regulatory approval, manufacturing development and capabilities, market prospects for its products, and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts. You may identify some of these forward-looking statements by the use of words in the statements such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” or other words and terms of similar meaning. Novocure’s performance and financial results could differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements due to general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions as well as more specific risks and uncertainties facing Novocure such as those set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2016, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Therefore, you should not rely on any such factors or forward-looking statements. Furthermore, Novocure does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. Any forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date hereof. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits this discussion.