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NovoCure Limited
Annual Report 2016

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FY2016 Annual Report · NovoCure Limited
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NOVOCURE  2016   
ANNUAL REP ORT

  
  
  
  
who we are

450+

EMPLOYEES

2

4

FDA-APPROVED  
INDICATIONS

CURRENTLY  
ACTIVE MARKETS

I N N OVAT I V E B R E A K T H RO U G H S

Novocure is developing a profoundly different 
cancer treatment centered on a proprietary 
therapy called TTFields, the use of alternating 
electric fields tuned to specific frequencies to 
disrupt solid tumor cancer cell division. The basic 
mechanism behind TTFields may be broadly 
applicable and is not limited to a specific solid 
tumor type or genetic marker. Importantly, we 
believe TTFields has the potential to increase 
survival when used in combination with other 
cancer therapies without significantly  
increasing side effects. 

2

NOVOCURE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
NOVOCURE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

For over 15 years, Novocure’s 
researchers have explored  
a different approach to 
cancer treatment that puts 
the patient first.

Medical advancements have led to dramatic 
improvements in cancer survival in the last 50 years.  
In the United States, five-year survival for all  
In the United States, five-year survival for all cancers 
cancers rose from 49 percent in the 1970s to 69 
rose from 49 percent in the 1970s to 69 percent  
percent in this decade. 
in this decade. 

Despite meaningful advancements in cancer treatment, 
Despite meaningful advancements in cancer  
a significant unmet need to improve survival and 
treatment, we believe a significant unmet need to 
quality of life remains. Of the 22,280 women diagnosed 
improve survival and quality of life remains. Of  
with ovarian cancer in the U.S. each year, only 46.2 
the 22,280 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 
percent live past five years. Of the 224,390 Americans 
the U.S. each year, only 46.2 percent live past five years. 
diagnosed with lung cancer annually, only 17.7 are alive 
Of the 224,390 Americans diagnosed with lung cancer 
five years later. Of the 12,500 Americans diagnosed 
annually, only 17.7 percent are alive five years later.  
with glioblastoma (GBM) each year, only 9.8 percent 
Of the 53,070 people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 
survive five years. Of the 53,070 people diagnosed with 
in the U.S. each year, only 7.7 percent survive past  
pancreatic cancer in the U.S. each year, only 7.7 percent 
the five-year mark. 
survive past the five-year mark. 

For patients facing some of the most aggressive  
For patients facing some of the most aggressive forms 
forms of cancer, these grim statistics are their reality. 
of cancer, these grim statistics are their reality. For 
The five-year survival rates are simply unacceptable. 
many patients, the five-year survival rates are simply 
We believe a profoundly different approach to cancer 
unacceptable. For these patients, a profoundly different 
treatment is needed.
approach to cancer treatment is needed.

3
3
3

Cover:
Moshe Giladi, PhD 
Head of Preclinical Research

Novocure’s Director of Preclinical Research, 
Moshe Giladi, joined the company in August 
2005. Dr. Giladi’s team in Israel researches 
the mechanism of action and the biological 
application of alternating electric fields.

T H E B U S I N E S S   
O F N OVO CU R E

to our fellow  
shareholders,

Asaf Danziger, CEO (left) 

William Doyle, Executive Chairman

During our first full year as a public company, we achieved many important 
milestones that we believe leave us well positioned for our future success.   

We had nearly 1,100 active Optune patients on treatment 
at the end of 2016 and have made great strides in our GBM 
business. During 2016, we added more than 400 certified 
treatment centers globally and expanded our sales force in 
the United States and Germany. We completed the rollout 
of our second generation Optune System, which weighs 
less than 2.7 pounds. We took steps forward in market 
access and in contracting with major payers, entering  
2017 with more than 180 million U.S. covered lives. 

We also made strides in advancing our clinical pipeline. In 
October 2016, we enrolled the first patient in our phase 3 
pivotal METIS trial studying TTFields in patients with brain 
metastases from non-small cell lung cancer. In February 

2017, we enrolled the first patient in our phase 3 pivotal 
LUNAR trial studying TTFields in patients with advanced 
non-small cell lung cancer. We completed phase 2  
pilot trials in pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer, and 
shared the topline results at our research and development 
day in December 2016. We also presented what we believe 
are promising interim results from our phase 2 pilot trial  
in mesothelioma at the International Association for the 
Study of Lung Cancer World Conference. In our preclinical 
and clinical experience to date, TTFields have consistently 
shown anti-mitotic activity with no known systemic 
toxicity, and we are encouraged by the preliminary 
evidence from these pilot studies.

4

A  H I S TO RY O F  S T RO N G  L E A D E R S H I P 

Asaf Danziger, Novocure’s Chief Executive Officer, 
and Bill Doyle, Novocure’s Executive Chairman, 
have been working together since 2002, bringing 
low-intensity, alternating electric fields from 
preclinical concept to a clinically-validated and 
FDA-approved commercial product for the 
treatment of glioblastoma.

NOVOCURE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
NOVOCURE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

NEARLY

1,100 

ACTIVE PATIENTS AT  
2016 YEAR END

5

INDICATIONS IN OUR
CLINICAL PIPELINE

$220

MILLION IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS,  
AND SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS
AT 2016 YEAR END

Financially, we ended the year in a 
position of strength to support  
our commercial business and our  
clinical pipeline. 

We recorded revenues of $82.9 million for the full year 
2016, representing more than 150 percent of year-over-
year revenue growth. On December 31, 2016, we had 
almost $220 million in cash, cash equivalents and short 
term investments on our balance sheet. 

Looking forward to 2017, we are acutely focused on our 
simple, two-pronged strategy that we believe will enable 
us to responsibly sustain the growth of our business while 
bringing our therapy to patients. First, we are committed 
to driving commercial adoption of Optune within our GBM 

business. Second, we are dedicated to advancing our 
clinical pipeline to indications beyond GBM. We strive to 
achieve both of these strategies while improving operating 
leverage. With discipline and focus, we are committed  
to bringing our profoundly different approach to cancer 
treatment to as many patients as possible who may  
benefit from it.

Thank you for your continued support of Novocure.

Asaf Danziger, 
CEO

William Doyle,  
Executive Chairman

5

”Even after 15+ years of research, there is 
still more being learned about treatment 
with alternating electric fields. We are 
excited about the promising application 
of this profoundly different approach 
to solid tumor cancer treatment, for 
glioblastoma and beyond.”

— Eilon Kirson MD, PhD 

Chief Science Officer and  
Head of Research and Development

low-intensity
alternating electric fields

USED ALONE OR IN COMBINATION TO TREAT SOLID TUMORS

surgery

radiation

pharmacological
treatments

tumor treating fields
(TTFields)

• Most frequently  

employed therapy

• Reduces size  

of a tumor prior to 
initiation of  
additional therapies

• Kills cells when 

delivered at high doses
• Injures healthy tissues  

with numerous 
potential toxic  
side effects

• Includes chemotherapy, 

• Low-intensity, alternating 

targeted therapies  
and immuno-oncology

• Limited by potential  

side effects

• Resistance can develop 

over time

electric fields

• Mild side effect profile
• No known resistance or 

cumulative toxicity

• Can be used in combination  

with other treatment 
modalities

6
6

NOVOCURE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

T H E  S C I E N CE   O F 
N OVO CU R E

a message from  
our chief science officer,  
Eilon Kirson MD, PhD

For more than a century, advances in cancer treatment 
have depended upon innovative researchers and clinicians 
and hard-fought breakthroughs. Each step forward was 
sparked by an idea or a hypothesis. Today’s traditional 
treatments–surgery, radiation and chemotherapy—were 
once thought of as radical, and each therapy evolved over 
time. Throughout medical history, advancements small 
and large led to improved survival rates and quality of  
care over prior treatments. Every several decades, a major 
breakthrough made a significant enough impact to 
change the course of cancer treatment for  
countless patients. 

Yet for many people diagnosed with some of the most 
aggressive forms of cancer, traditional treatments  
aren’t enough, as is evident from low and stagnant survival  
rates in certain forms of cancer. In order to make a 
meaningful impact in the lives of these patients, we 
believe that we need a different approach to solid tumor  
cancer treatment.

In 2000, Yoram Palti, Novocure’s founder and  
professor emeritus of physiology and biophysics at the 
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, hypothesized and 
began testing such an approach. Instead of searching for 
ways to improve upon existing cancer therapies, he 
employed his knowledge of physics to influence biological 
processes in cancer cells, particularly mitosis. Professor 
Palti proposed that alternating electric fields tuned  
to specific frequencies could disrupt cancer cell division 
without causing many of the life-altering side effects 
associated with other traditional treatments. Over 
a decade of preclinical and clinical research in more  
than 15 cancer cell lines has proven he was right.

Professor Palti viewed the problems with traditional 
cancer treatments through an innovative lens. He 
assessed the need for improved outcomes and his own 
knowledge in physics and biology, and questioned  
what people think about existing treatments and where 
they might be stuck in their thought patterns. By  
thinking of killing cancer from a new perspective, he  
discovered another way. 

A DVA N C I N G A LT E R N AT I N G   
E L EC T R I C FI E L D T H E R A P Y

Novocure’s Chief Science Officer and Head  
of Research and Development Eilon Kirson was 
one of the first employees to join the company in 
2002. Dr. Kirson has global responsibility for 
Novocure’s preclinical and clinical and product 
development programs, as well as the company’s 
regulatory strategy.

The spirit of Professor Palti’s original hypothesis remains  
a core pillar of Novocure today. As innovators ourselves, 
we carried Professor Palti’s original idea forward. Like  
the many innovators in cancer research who’ve come 
before, we see the limitations of current treatments not  
as a challenge, but as an opportunity to approach the 
problem—and find a solution—in a profoundly  
different way.  

Eilon Kirson MD, PhD
Chief Science Officer and Head  
of Research and Development

7

mechanism  
of action

an effective anti-mitotic treatment

In order to understand treatment with TTFields, one must 
first be familiar with electric fields and how they can  
be utilized for medical applications. All fields exert forces 
on specific objects that are spatially located inside the  
field. For example, gravitational fields exert forces on 
masses, and magnetic fields exert forces on iron. Similarly, 
electric fields exert forces on polarized molecules and  
can be used across multiple medical applications at 
specific frequencies. Low frequency or pulsed electric 
fields can depolarize cell membranes, as seen in artificial 
pacemakers, while high frequency electric fields can 
generate heat, as seen in radiofrequency ablation. 
Intermediate frequency electric fields, long thought to  
have no significant biological effect, have now been shown 
to inhibit the growth rate of a variety of cancer cell lines 
and cause cancer cell death.

TTFields use low-intensity, alternating electric fields  
tuned to specific frequencies to disrupt the highly 
choreographed mitotic process essential to tumor growth. 
While many intracellular molecules are slightly polarized  
or neutral, some are highly polarized and strongly affected 
by intermediate-frequency, alternating electric fields.  
For example, tubulin is a highly polarized molecule that 
must orient spatially to form the mitotic spindle, which 
segregates chromosomes into two daughter cells during 
mitosis. In the presence of electric fields, tubulin aligns 
with the direction of the electric field, causing disruption of 
mitotic spindle formation and eventual cell death. Septin is 
another highly polarized molecule that must orient spatially 
to form the contractile ring needed to split daughter  
cells during mitosis. In the presence of electric fields, septin 
aligns with the direction of the electric field, leading to 
improper localization of the contractile ring. This process 
causes membrane blebbing and eventual cell death.

8

Einav Zeevi, Preclinical Researcher

A

B

C

+2h

+3h

+30m

+50m

+30m

+60m

LOW I N T E N S I T Y A LT E R N AT I N G  E L EC T R I C 
FI E L D S A N D T H E I R E FFEC T O N  M I TO S I S

Alternating electric fields affect tumor cells by 
arresting mitosis, slowing TTFields-treated cell 
division time from less than one hour to more than 
three hours (a). Some cells in the field may also 
disintegrate in the later stages of cell division (b,c).

Credit: Physics Today, adapted from Kirson et al.  
Cancer Res. 64, 3288, 2004 

application of therapy 

Novocure’s profoundly different approach to cancer 
treatment utilizes low-intensity, alternating electric fields 
tuned to a specific frequency with the goal of disrupting 
cancer cell division and tumor growth. To apply these 
electric fields to the body, two sets of transducer arrays are 
placed front to back and side to side to surround the region 
of treatment. The arrays are connected to an electric field 
generator, and the direction of the electric field oscillates 
rapidly between each set of arrays. The electric field 
penetrates the entire volume of tissue between the arrays 
and, at the right frequency, into the cells inside the field.

The cell membrane serves as an effective filter for electric 
fields unless tuned to a specific frequency, with the 
frequency required to penetrate the membrane principally 
linked to cell size. Cancer cells tend to be smaller than 
normal healthy cells and, as a result, the frequency of the 
electric field can be tuned to the specific size of the 
targeted tumor cell. 

TTFields impact metaphase

normal metaphase

tubulin subunits
align properly, 
forming a normal
mitotic spindle

NOVOCURE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

E L EC T RO D E P L ACE M E N T I S   
O P T I M IZ E D FO R E ACH PAT I E N T

The distribution of the field depends on the 
exact layout of the transducer arrays and the 
passive electrical properties, mainly resistance, 
of the different tissues between them. Array 
placement is optimized for each patient using 
proprietary software called NovoTAL™, based on 
morphometric measurements of the patient’s 
anatomy according to a recent MRI scan and  
the location of the tumor.

effect of TTFields  
on metaphase

tubulin subunits
align with TTFields

mitotic spindle

mitotic spindle
mitotic spindle

tubulin subunits
tubulin subunits 
align properly, 
forming a normal
 align properly, 
mitotic spindle
 forming a 
normal  mitotic 
spindle

mitotic spindle

+

misaligned tubulin
disrupts mitotic spindle

tubulin subunits
align with TTFields

tubulin subunits
align properly, 
forming a normal
mitotic spindle

misaligned tubulin
disrupts mitotic spindle
+

–

tubulin 
tubulin subunits
align with TTFields
subunits  align 
misaligned tubulin
with TTFields
disrupts mitotic spindle
misaligned 
tubulin  disrupts 
uniform
mitotic spindle
electric field

–

+

–
tubulin subunits have
tubulin subunits 
a high dipole moment
have  a high  
uniform
electric field
dipole moment

tubulin subunits have
a high dipole moment

tubulin subunits have
a high dipole moment

uniform  
uniform
electric field
electric field

TTFields impact telophase

normal telophase

–

+

+

–

–

+

+ –

+

–

+

–

+ –

–

+

cleavage 
furrow

effect of TTFields 
on telophase

+

–

+

–

+

–

+

+

–

–

–

+

–

+

–

+

dielectrophoresis
dielectrophoresis

non-uniform  
electric field

movement of polar cellular  
components due to electric field

9

Q &A
Z E ’ E V  B O M ZO N
D I R EC TO R  O F  S C I E N CE

Physicist Ze’ev Bomzon and his  
team of researchers aim to optimize  
the delivery of alternating electric  
fields to solid tumor cancers and  
further the understanding of the 
mechanism of action. 

E FFEC T I V E LY   CO M M U N I C AT I N G 
N OVO CU R E ’ S  S C I E N CE

Director of Science Ze’ev Bomzon recognizes 
the necessity of effectively explaining 
Novocure’s technology—which bridges 
physics and biology—to researchers of 
various scientific backgrounds. “We’re always 
developing new tools to educate people.”

Ze’ev Bomzon, 
Director of Science

10

NOVOCURE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

D E E P E N I N G O U R  U N D E R S TA N D I N G   
O F T H E M ECH A N I S M

Novocure’s Director of Science Ze’ev Bomzon 
joined the company in April 2014. He uses  
his background in physics and cell mechanics  
to lead a team of researchers at Novocure’s  
facility in Israel.

What type of research do you conduct?

We do a lot of physics research. Our main focus has 
been on optimizing the delivery of TTFields. We do a lot 
of simulation, numerical work and experimental work as 
well, such as measuring TTFields in various situations. We 
also continue our research into the mechanism of action 
of TTFields. That includes a lot of work with our preclinical 
teams and looking at things such as electric properties of 
cells, which are relevant to enhancing our understanding 
of how TTFields penetrate into the cells. 

What are some of the challenges of working with a 
profoundly different technology?

Although Novocure has been researching TTFields for 
more than 15 years, that’s not a long time in the grand 
scheme of things. We continue to deepen our 
understanding of the mechanism of action of TTFields. 
Because our therapy is so different, it has taken time for 
the broader scientific community to begin researching 
TTFields. However, a number of institutions have started 
to study TTFields in the last several years. 

Additional research, whether done 
internally or externally, will help inform 
our therapy and could result in better 
outcomes for patients. 

Our technology bridges physics with biology, and we  
have to communicate information to people with various 
scientific backgrounds. The way physicists describe the 
world is very different from the way biologists describe the 
world. For many people, the concept of an electric field  
is abstract. You can’t see it. It’s not intuitive to people 
what the electric field is and what it does, so you have to 
explain that and you can’t do it with equations. It’s not 
easy for everyone to comprehend the physics and  
theory behind it. 

What do you like about science?

I like the sense of discovery. I like that science involves 
exploring new territory and doing new things. Within  
the scientific community, you’re always working with  
this huge global community of scientists. That’s an  
aspect I love.

11Dean Calcagno, HCP Coordinator

O P T U N E S YS T E M

TTFields therapy is delivered using non invasive, 
insulated transducer arrays that are placed 
directly on the skin in the region surrounding 
the tumor. The complete delivery system 
includes a portable electric field generator, 
transducer arrays, rechargeable batteries and 
accessories. It is designed to allow patients  
to go about their daily activities while receiving 
continuous cancer treatment.

commercial  
execution

our commercial business

The first indication we pursued for TTFields was GBM,  
the most common form of primary brain cancer. We 
initially received FDA approval for Optune, our first 
TTFields delivery system, in 2011 for use as a monotherapy 
treatment for adult patients with GBM, following 
confirmed recurrence after chemotherapy. In October 
2015, we received FDA approval of Optune for the 
treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed GBM  
in combination with temozolomide, the standard of  
care chemotherapy. 

Since these approvals, we have built a commercial 
organization to support the launch of Optune for 
the treatment of GBM in the United States, Germany, 
Switzerland and Japan. As of December 31, 2016,  
we had nearly 1,100 patients on treatment with Optune. 
We provide technical training for patients and caregivers, 
24/7 technical support, compliance monitoring and 
assistance with all aspects of billing and reimbursement. 

12

active patient growth

global active patients at period end 

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

425 

469 

372 

225 

NOVOCURE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

1,091 

985 

891 

797 

605 

8 

CONSECUTIVE 
QUARTERS OF ACTIVE 
PATIEN T GROWTH 
SINCE PRESENTATION 
OF EF-14 DATA 

Q4 2014

Q1 2015

Q2 2015

Q3 2015

Q4 2015

Q1 2016

Q2 2016

Q3 2016

Q4 2016

U.S. active patients 

EMEA and Japan active patients 

commercial footprint
as of December 31, 2016

UNITED STATES

490 

certified centers

EMEA

10

sales force 
colleagues

EMEA

155

certified centers

UNITED STATES

49 

sales force 
colleagues

JAPAN

131

certified centers

JAPAN

2

sales force 
colleagues

certified centers

sales force colleagues

”This career takes patience and compassion. 
We are doing more than just telling a patient 
and their family what to expect or how to 
stop alarms on the device. We are giving 
them our full attention to ensure that they 
know that we are here for them, 100%, 24/7, 
to support their treatment with Optune.”

— Kate Beddie, 

Patient Care Coordinator

13

Q &A
TO B I A S  W E IZ E L
G E N E R A L M A N AG E R  G E R M A N Y 

Tobias Weizel, Novocure’s General 
Manager Germany, leads the company’s 
commercial business in Germany 
and said he feels lucky to be a part 
of Novocure’s mission of bringing a 
profoundly different cancer treatment  
to patients worldwide.

Tobias Weizel, 
General Manager Germany

14

What are some of the challenges you face in leading 
Novocure’s commercial team in Germany?

It’s getting physicians to buy into a different technology in 
order for it to hopefully become standard of care. We’ve 
made a great deal of advancement here, and we continue to 
increase education and exposure for key physicians.

How do you go about introducing Optune  
to patients and physicians?

The most important key player here is the physician. If 
physicians don’t believe in the therapy, German patients are 
still largely listening to what a doctor says, especially when 
you have such a devastating diagnosis of GBM. We have a lot 
of physicians who are excited by the opportunity of Optune 
and the EF-14 phase 3 pivotal trial data in newly diagnosed 
GBM. These are the ones who tell their patients about 
Optune. We continue to educate physicians on the survival 
benefits of the therapy and believe they will increasingly  
share this treatment option with their patients.  

How is Novocure different from other  
companies where you’ve worked?

I believe that to be successful at Novocure, you have to have  
a passion for helping patients along with flexibility. Being a 
part of a growing organization, employees have a chance to 
help define the best processes to move the company forward. 

It’s more than thinking outside of the  
box. There is no other company that does 
what we do–there’s no box we fit in,  
so we often have to create new ways  
of doing things.

What do you enjoy about working for Novocure?

If you have a chance to introduce a different therapy, to 
change mindsets and to change the way cancer is treated, 
then I believe I’m really lucky. The possibility to see what  
we can do with this therapy gives me a lot of energy. Many 
companies in this industry say they put their patients first.  
For me, this is the first time that I actually feel it’s true. 

NOVOCURE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

O U R M I S S I O N -D R I V E N CU LT U R E

Tobias Weizel, Novocure’s General 
Manager Germany, joined the company 
in July 2016 and said he thrives off 
of the entrepreneurial, startup spirit 
inherent in Novocure. “The company 
has grown substantially in the last 
several years, but we’ve managed to 
preserve this.”

A G ROW I N G G LO B A L P R E S E N CE

Tobias Weizel, Novocure’s General 
Manager Germany who has a background 
of working in sales and marketing for 
biotech and pharmaceutical companies, 
leads Novocure’s commercial activities  
in Germany.

15

pipeline 
development

advancing our clinical pipeline 
in indications with significant  
unmet need 

For more than 15 years, Novocure has performed research 
and published multiple peer-reviewed articles with 
preclinical data in more than 15 different solid tumor types 
in culture and eight different tumor models in vivo.

Preclinical and clinical data continue to suggest broad 
applicability of the mechanism of action behind TTFields, 
and we have developed a pipeline strategy to advance 
TTFields through phase 2 pilot and phase 3 pivotal trials 
across a variety of solid tumor cancers. 

We currently have two ongoing phase 3 pivotal trials, in 
brain metastases and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 
as well as three ongoing or completed phase 2 pilot trials 
investigating TTFields in pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer 
and mesothelioma.

16

Yaara Porat, Preclinical Researcher

Novocure trials

PA N CR E AT I C C A N CE R : 
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal forms  
of cancer globally, killing more than 330,000 individuals 
worldwide each year. At the end of 2016, we concluded 
our first phase 2 pilot trial in advanced pancreatic cancer—
our PANOVA trial—and data will be presented  
at the AACR Annual Meeting 2017.

In January 2016, we presented data from an initial 20 
patient cohort treated with TTFields plus gemcitabine. 
These data demonstrated progression free survival and 
overall survival of patients treated with TTFields combined 
with gemcitabine were more than double those of 
gemcitabine-alone historical controls.

In December 2016, we announced topline results from  
a second 20 patient cohort treated with TTFields plus 
nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine. In this second cohort, 
median progression free survival and one-year survival 
rate of advanced pancreatic cancer patients treated 
 with TTFields plus nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine were 
more than double those of nab-paclitaxel and 
gemcitabine-treated historical controls. 

Based on these results, we plan to open a phase 3 pivotal 
trial in advanced pancreatic cancer in 2017. 

NOVOCURE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

abdominal 
array placement 

torso 
array placement 

pelvic 
array placement 

LU N G  C A N CE R : 
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related 
death worldwide, and NSCLC accounts for approximately 
85 percent of all lung cancers. We published data for  
our first completed phase 2 pilot trial in advanced NSCLC 
in July 2013. 

These results suggested more than doubling of median 
progression free survival and a 66% improvement in 
median overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer 
patients treated with TTFields plus pemetrexed compared 
to pemetrexed-alone historical controls. 

Based on these results, we opened a phase 3 pivotal 
trial for the second-line treatment of NSCLC—our 
LUNAR trial–that incorporates the latest standard of  
care treatment. We enrolled our first patient in  
February 2017 and anticipate data will be available for  
presentation approximately 18 months following 
last patient enrollment.

M E S OT H E L I O M A :  
Mesothelioma is a rare, solid tumor cancer affecting the 
lining of the lungs that is strongly linked to asbestos 
exposure. We currently have an ongoing phase 2 pilot trial 
in mesothelioma—our STELLAR trial—in which we expect 
to complete enrollment in 2017.

We presented interim data of the first 42 patients in 
December 2016. These data suggested that one-year 
survival rates of patients treated with TTFields combined 

with pemetrexed and cisplatin or carboplatin were more 
than 58 percent greater than historical control data  
of patients treated with pemetrexed and cisplatin alone. 

With a minimum of 12 month follow-up after all 80  
patients are enrolled, we expect data in 2018.

OVA R I A N C A N CE R :  
In the United States, ovarian cancer accounts for 
approximately 3 percent of cancers among women, but 
causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female 
reproductive system. At the end of 2016, we concluded 
our first phase 2 pilot trial in recurrent ovarian cancer—our 
INNOVATE trial—and data will be presented at the AACR 
Annual Meeting 2017.

We announced topline results from this 30 patient trial  
at our R&D Day in December 2016. These data suggested 
a more than doubling of the median progression free 
survival versus historical controls when treatment with 
TTFields is added to weekly paclitaxel. 

Based on these results, we are developing the trial design 
for a phase 3 pivotal trial in recurrent ovarian cancer.

17

clinical milestones and next steps

FI R S T  PAT I E N T   I N

L A S T   PAT I E N T I N

DATA

N E X T S T E P S

brain  
metastases

• Enrolled in  

October 2016

• Expected in 2019

• Expected 12 months 

following last  
patient enrollment

non-small cell  
lung cancer

• Enrolled in  

February 2017

• Expected in 2019

• Expected 18 months 

following last  
patient enrollment

• Continued expansion 
of investigator and 
investigating site footprint

• Continued expansion 
of investigator and 
investigating site footprint

pancreatic  
cancer

• Expected 2H 2017

• Expected 2 years 
following first  
patient enrolled 

ovarian  
cancer

• Expected 18 months 

• Phase 3 pivotal trial  

following last  
patient enrollment

first patient in

• Presentation of phase 2 

pilot second cohort data at 
AACR in April 2017

• Publication of PANOVA  
data targeted for 2017

• Finalization of phase 3 

pivotal trial design

• Presentation of INNOVATE 
data at AACR in April 2017

• Publication of INNOVATE 

data targeted for 2017

mesothelioma

• Enrolled in  

February 2015

• Expected in 2017

• Expected 12 months 

• Last patient enrollment 

following last  
patient enrollment

anticipated in 2017

Novocure engineering

We plan to use the same field generator technology 
across all indications for which TTFields are approved,  
but we can specifically target individual solid tumor types 
by tuning the field generator to the appropriate frequency 
based upon tumor cell size and adjusting the output 
power to treat the required tumor tissue volume. As 
technology for components of our device improves, we 
have the flexibility to incorporate these advances into  
our product, subject to applicable regulatory approvals. 

Within our GBM indication, our engineering research  
and development team looks for ways to improve our 
Optune System by directly incorporating feedback  
from the patients who receive our treatment. After 
introducing our lighter, smaller second generation Optune 
System in mid-2016, we plan to reduce the footprint  
of our device’s transducer arrays and wires. We hope  
to launch a less conspicuous, tan colored transducer array  
in 2017 and we then plan to develop a next-generation 
transducer array that minimizes the impact of wires  
to improve overall aesthetics. 

18

incidence metrics

NOVOCURE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

UNITED STATES

EUROPE

JAPAN

glioblastoma

brain 
metastases

non-small cell  
lung cancer

pancreatic  
cancer

ovarian  
cancer

mesothelioma

United 
States

12,500 
new cases  
annually

Europe

3,600  
new cases  
annually 
in Germany  
alone

98,000– 
170,000 
new cases 
annually

75,000 
new cases 
annually

214,000 
new cases 
annually

53,000 
new cases 
annually

22,000 
new cases 
annually

3,000 
new cases  
annually

350,000 
new cases  
annually

110,000 
new cases 
annually

65,000  
new cases 
annually

Japan

1,500 
new cases  
annually

13,000 
new cases 
annually

95,000 
new cases  
annually

33,000 
new cases 
annually

9,000 
new cases 
annually

western europe 
predicted peak  
of 9,000 
male deaths 
around the  
year 2018

estimated 
1,000 
new cases  
annually

D E D I C AT I O N TO   
CO N T I N UA L  I M P ROV E M E N T

B ROA D A P P L I C A B I L I T Y O F T H E   
M ECH A N I S M O F AC T I O N

Victor Kaikov, Electronics Engineer, has been with  
the company since April 2003. He and the 
engineering team develop improvements in our 
treatment systems (subject to applicable regulatory 
approval), incorporating feedback from our global 
patient base and advancements in electronics.

Roza Shnayderman, Head of Novocure’s Israel  
Biology Lab, joined Novocure in March 2000.  
During her seventeen years with Novocure, she  
and the preclinical team have researched the effects 
of TTFields on a variety of solid tumor cancer 
cell lines and laid the foundation for Novocure’s 
expansion into additional clinical trials.

19

Q &A
S H A RY N   RU P E R T I 
A S S I S TA N T   CL I N I C A L T R I A L  M A N AG E R

Sharyn Ruperti, 
Assistant Clinical Trial Manager

Sharyn first started working with Novocure about 10 years ago as a Device Support Specialist supporting patients on the company’s EF-11 trial in recurrent GBM. She joined the Clinical Operations Team after receiving her Masters  in Clinical Research Administration in 2012.What does your job entail?

I am responsible for the day to day management of the 
company’s METIS trial in brain metastases from non-small cell 
lung cancer. I provide oversight of our clinical research 
organization and work to ensure study metrics are met. I also 
visit doctors at participating trial sites and train them on the 
science of alternating electric field therapy and how to explain 
the therapy to potential study participants.

How has Novocure changed since your early days  
with the company?

Novocure has grown significantly in the past several years.  
When I first started, I was one of six Device Support Specialists 
hired in the U.S. to support clinical patients in the company’s 
first phase 3 pivotal study.  We are now a global company with 
more than 450 employees, two FDA approvals and a robust 
clinical pipeline. 

As we continue to develop our clinical pipeline, we are also 
making connections with and educating doctors interested in 
our clinical trials from areas of oncology outside of GBM.  
Today, along with our FDA approvals, we have data published  
in peer-reviewed medical journals to present to physicians  
when we introduce our therapy. 

There is more excitement today about 
alternating electric field therapy. There are 
many doctors who have been waiting  
to clinically study our therapy for other 
indications that are difficult to treat.

We also have observed an increased interest from investigators 
who want to be a part of our studies.

In what ways is Novocure’s approach to cancer  
treatment different?

I’ll tell you what many doctors tell us. We care. We go out of our 
way to help patients, and we are closely connected with our 
doctors. They know that if they have a question, we will respond 
quickly. I know that every patient matters. Patients on our 
therapy are not viewed only as a “subject” or study ID number— 
they are people with loved ones and the company works hard  
to help each individual patient.   

NOVOCURE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

D E V E LO P I N G O U R   
CL I N I C A L P I P E L I N E

With two FDA-approved indications, 
three ongoing or completed phase 2 
pilot trials and two phase 3 pivotal trial 
under way, Sharyn Ruperti, Assistant 
Clinical Trial Manager, said it’s an exciting 
time to be a part of Novocure.

A PAT I E N T-FO RWA R D M I S S I O N

Assistant Clinical Trial Manager  
Sharyn Ruperti said she enjoys making  
a difference. “I feel like I am truly  
making a difference for patients and 
their families by providing physicians  
an additional possible tool to use in  
their battle against cancer.”

21

”With a growing commercial 
business in two FDA-approved 
indications and an advancing 
clinical pipeline in additional solid 
tumor cancers, we believe we  
are establishing Novocure as a 
global oncology business.”

— Wilco Groenhuysen,  
Chief Financial Officer

22

selected
financials

Schemel Wiley, Associate Tax Manager, 
and Rob Havens, Financial Planning and 
Analysis Manager

CO N T I N U E D  FO CU S  O N  R E V E N U E   
G E N E R AT I O N A N D   O P E R AT I N G  L E V E R AG E

Entering 2017, we believe we have established a strong foundation upon which 
we are building a global oncology business. We realized 2016 net revenues of 
$82.9 million, an increase of more than 150% versus the prior year. We improved 
our ability to collect payment by improving coverage and contracting in the 
U.S., and we saw significant active patient and revenue growth in EMEA. 

Regardless of the trajectory of the adoption curve in GBM, our management 
team strives to improve operating leverage. We believe that our SG&A 
organization is substantially built and able to support the commercialization  
of Optune in our currently active markets. Ending the year with $220 million 
cash on hand and with our infrastructure substantially built, we believe that we 
have the resources to reach profitability in our GBM business alone and to  
fund our clinical pipeline to build our business for the future.

80% 

ACTIVE PATIENT  
GROWTH SINCE 2015

151% 

REVENUE GROWTH  
2016 VERSUS 2015 

revenue growth

global net revenue by quarter

$35,000 

$30,000 

$25,000 

$20,000 

$15,000 

$10,000 

$5,000 

$0 

$30,242

$21,674 

$17,919 

$12,383 

$13,053 

$8,953

$6,543 

$3,801

$5,208 

Q4 2014

Q1 2015

Q2 2015

Q3 2015

Q4 2015

Q1 2016

Q2 2016

Q3 2016

Q4 2016

U.S. active patients

EMEA and Japan active patients

8
151%

R EV EN UE G ROW TH
20 1 6 V ER SUS  201 5

CONSECUTIVE  
QUARTERS OF ACTIVE  
PATIENT GROWTH 
SINCE PRESENTATION 
OF EF-14 DATA

23

consolidated statement  
of operations

USD Thousands
Net revenues 

Cost of revenues 

Impairment of field equipment

Gross profit 

Operating costs and expenses: 

Research, development and clinical trials 

Sales and marketing 

General and administrative 

Total operating costs and expenses 

Operating loss 

Financial expenses, net 

Loss before income taxes 

Income taxes 

Net loss 

leadership

corporate officers and 
executive leadership

William F. Doyle 
Executive Chairman

Asaf Danziger 
Chief Executive Officer

Mike Ambrogi 
Chief Operating Officer

Wilco Groenhuysen 
Chief Financial Officer

Eilon Kirson, M.D., Ph.D. 
Chief Science Officer and  
Head of Research and Development

Todd Longsworth 
General Counsel

Yoram Palti, M.D., Ph.D. 
Founder

24

Year ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

$

82,888

$

33,087

$

15,490

39,870

6,412

36,606

41,467

59,449

51,007

151,923

(115,317)

(6,147)

(121,464)

10,381

20,610

–

12,477

43,748

38,861

33,864

116,473

(103,996)

(3,151)

(107,147)

4,434

10,036

–

5,454

40,381

21,177

24,052

85,610

(80,156)

(144)

(80,300)

382

$

(131,845)

$

(111,581)

$

(80,682)

board of directors

William F. Doyle 
Executive Chairman

William Burkoth

Asaf Danziger

Louis Lavigne, Jr.

Kinyip Gabriel Leung

Robert J. Mylod, Jr.

Yoram Palti, M.D., Ph.D.

Gert Lennart Perlhagen

Charles G. Phillips III

William A. Vernon

NOVOCURE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

market price of and dividends on the registrants’ 
common equity and related stockholder matters
The following graph shows the total shareholder return of an investment of 
$100 in cash at market close on October 2, 2015 (the first day of trading of 
our ordinary shares) through December 31, 2016 for (1) our ordinary shares, 
(2) the Russell 2000 Index, and (3) the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index. Pursuant 
to applicable SEC rules, all values assume reinvestment of the full amount 

of all dividends; however, no dividends have been declared on our ordinary 
shares to date. The shareholder return shown on the graph below is not 
necessarily indicative of future performance, and we do not make or endorse 
any predictions as to future stockholder returns.

comparison of cumulative total return
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among NovoCure Limited, the Russell 2000 Index, and the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index
Among NovoCure Limited, the Russell 2000 Index, and the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index

$ 140
$ 120
$ 100
$ 80
$ 60
$ 40
$ 20
$ 0
10/2/2015

$ 140
$ 120
$ 100
$ 80
$ 60
$ 40
$ 20
$ 0
10/2/2015

12/31/2015

12/31/2015

03/31/2016

03/31/2016

06/30/2016

06/30/2016

09/30/2016

09/30/2016

12/31/2016

12/31/2016

NovoCure Limited

NovoCure Limited

NASDAQ Biotechnology Index

NASDAQ Biotechnology Index

Russell 2000 Index

Russell 2000 Index

Assumes $100 invested on October 2, 2015
Assumes $100 invested on October 2, 2015
Assumes dividend reinvested
Assumes dividend reinvested
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2015
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2015

total return annual comparison 
cumulative total return summary
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
03/31/2016
Among Novocure Limited, the Russell 2000 Index, and the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index
Among Novocure Limited, the Russell 2000 Index, and the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index

12/31/2015

10/2/2015

06/30/2016

09/30/2016

12/31/2016

NovoCure Limited
$ 140
$ 140
$ 120
$ 120
$ 100
$ 100
$ 80
$ 80
NASDAQ Biotechnology Index
$ 60
$ 60
$ 40
$ 40
$ 20
$ 20
Russell 2000 Index
$ 0
$ 0
10/2/2015
10/2/2015

Return%

Cum $

Return%

Cum $

100.00

22.32

122.32

-35.24

79.21

7.29

-22.88

100.00

107.29

82.74

-19.41

63.84

-1.12

81.81

-26.82

46.72

12.50

92.03

-8.08

42.94

-8.31

84.38

8.83

Novocure Limited

Novocure Limited

NASDAQ Biotechnology Index

NASDAQ Biotechnology Index

10/31/2015

Return%
10/31/2015
Cum $

100.00

2.33

-1.52

3.79

11/30/2015
102.33

11/30/2015

100.78
Russell 2000 Index
Russell 2000 Index

104.60

9.05
12/31/2015
114.06

12/31/2015

124.14

Indications For Use
Optune is intended as a treatment for adult patients (22 years of age or older) 
with histologically-confirmed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Assumes $100 invested on October 2, 2015
Assumes $100 invested on October 2, 2015
Assumes dividend reinvested
Assumes dividend reinvested
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2015
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2015

Optune with temozolomide is indicated for the treatment of adult patients 
with newly diagnosed, supratentorial glioblastoma following maximal 
debulking surgery and completion of radiation therapy together with 
concomitant standard of care chemotherapy.

For the treatment of recurrent GBM, Optune is indicated following 
histologically-or radiologically-confirmed recurrence in the supratentorial 
region of the brain after receiving chemotherapy. The device is intended to be 
used as a monotherapy, and is intended as an alternative to standard medical 
therapy for GBM after surgical and radiation options have been exhausted.

Summary of Important Safety Information 

Contraindications 
Do not use Optune if you have an active implanted medical device, a skull 
defect (such as, missing bone with no replacement), or bullet fragments. Use 
of Optune together with implanted electronic devices has not been tested 
and may theoretically lead to malfunctioning of the implanted device. Use of 
Optune together with skull defects or bullet fragments has not been tested 
and may possibly lead to tissue damage or render Optune ineffective.

Do not use Optune if you are known to be sensitive to conductive hydrogels. 
In this case, skin contact with the gel used with Optune may commonly 
cause increased redness and itching, and rarely may even lead to severe 
allergic reactions such as shock and respiratory failure. 

Warnings and Precautions 
Use Optune only after receiving training from qualified personnel, such as 
your doctor, a nurse, or other medical personnel who have completed a 
training course given by Novocure (the device manufacturer).

Do not use Optune if you are pregnant, you think you might be pregnant 
or are trying to get pregnant. It is not known if Optune is safe or effective in 
these populations.

The most common (≥10%) adverse events involving Optune in combination 
with temozolomide were low blood platelet count, nausea, constipation, 
vomiting, fatigue, scalp irritation from device use, headache, convulsions, 
and depression.

All servicing procedures must be performed by qualified and trained 
personnel.

Do not use any parts that do not come with the Optune Treatment Kit, or 
that were not sent to you by the device manufacturer or given to you by 
your doctor.

Do not wet the device or transducer arrays.

If you have an underlying serious skin condition on the scalp, discuss  
with your doctor whether this may prevent or temporarily interfere with 
Optune treatment.

Please visit www.optune.com/safety for Optune Instructions for Use 
(IFU) for complete information regarding the device’s indications, 
contraindications, warnings, and precautions.

25

 
looking 
ahead

As far as we’ve come in the last 16 years, we  
are intensely focused on the future. Treatment with 
TTFields offers a profoundly different approach  
to cancer treatment. 

We believe that the basic mechanism behind treatment 
of solid tumor cancers with TTFields may be broadly 
applicable and is not limited to a specific tumor type or 
genetic marker. Importantly, we believe TTFields has the 
potential to increase survival when used in combination 
with other cancer therapies without significantly 
increasing side effects. Treatment with TTFields is FDA 
approved for the treatment of GBM, and we are 
committed to developing our promising therapy for  
a broad range of solid tumor types.

26
26

 
NOVOCURE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

27

Le Masurier House 
La Rue Le Masurier 
St Helier, Jersey JE2 4YE

www.novocure.com