QLT Inc.
Vancouver, BC
Company Overview
QLT Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies to treat cancer, eye diseases and immune disorders.
Combining expertise in ophthalmology, oncology and photodynamic therapy, QLT has commercialized two products to date, including Visudyne therapy which is the most successfully launched ophthalmology product ever.
ESTABLISHED Formed in 1981. Became a public company in 1986.
FOUNDERS Founded by a group of University of British Columbia professors, including Dr. Julia Levy who served as the Company's President and CEO from 1995 to 2002.
EMPLOYEES Over 350 professionals in the fields of science, research, business and technology.
COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS Visudyne (verteporfin) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), pathologic myopia and presumed ocular histoplasmosis. To date, Visudyne therapy is approved in over 60 countries. For more information, go to our commercial center.
Photofrin, the world's first approved photodynamic therapy drug used in the treatment of various cancers. Before selling the rights to Photofrin to Axcan Pharma Inc. on June 8, 2000, QLT received a number of worldwide approvals for Photofrin for various cancerous conditions.
PARTNERSHIPS / ALLIANCES QLT has an exclusive worldwide co-development agreement with Novartis Ophthalmics, the eye health unit of Novartis AG. QLT manufacturers Visudyne, while Novartis Ophthalmics markets and distributes the product worldwide.
QLT and Novartis Ophthalmics collaborate with Lumenis Ltd. and Carl Zeiss for the supply of lasers used in conjunction with Visudyne therapy.
Company Information
Physical Address
887 Great Northern Way
Vancouver, BC V5T 4T5
CA
Mailing Address
887 Great Northern Way
Vancouver, BC V5T 4T5
CA
Additional Details
Legal Name: QLT Inc.
Number of Employees: 350
CA
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses light-activated drugs called photosensitizers to treat a range of diseases characterized by rapidly growing tissue, including the formation of abnormal blood vessels, such as cancer and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Treatment with PDT consists of a two-step process that starts with administration of the drug, or photosensitizer, by intravenous injection. Once the drug enters the bloodstream, it attaches itself to low-density lipoproteins already circulating. As cells undergoing rapid growth require an above-average supply of lipoproteins, the drug reaches these types of cells more quickly and in higher concentrations.
Once the necessary level of concentration is attained, the second step is to activate the drug with a specific dose of light of a particular wavelength. This causes the conversion of normal oxygen found in tissue to a highly energized form called singlet oxygen, which in turn, disrupts normal cellular functions. Neither the drug nor the light exert any effect until combined.
What makes PDT effective and safe is its selectivity. Because the light is shone directly at the cells in the targeted tissue where the drug accumulates preferentially, damage to the surrounding tissue is limited. The entire procedure can be performed in a physicians office or on an outpatient basis.
The type of light source used in PDT varies according to the condition treated. Opthalmology: diode laser light is shone through the slit lamp of a microscope into a patients eye. Cancer/Internal Diseases: fiber optics are used to deliver light to the internal cavities like the lung and esophagus while LED's (light-emitting diodes) are used for skin cancer.
In all cases only non-thermal (i. e. non-burning) light sources are used. QLT ensures the availability of light sources and delivery systems by partnering with leading medical device companies to co-develop and promote PDT-dedicated lights and related devices.
Contacts
Therese Crozier
Title: Director
Area of Responsibility: Management Executive
Phone: Show phone
Fax: Show fax
Products
- Biotechnology And Pharmaceutical Products
NAICS Categories
Additional Information
325410