| " . . . we are building our future on a foundation of more than a half-century of innovation and leadership in medical imaging." |
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A Compelling Pipeline
At Lantheus Medical Imaging, we are committed to investing in the field of nuclear medicine and developing the next generation of diagnostic medicines to advance patient care. With proven expertise in discovering and developing imaging diagnostics, Lantheus is focused on meeting the need for improved medical imaging tools and building on its foundation of pioneering research and development. Our clinical development efforts include a promising program to develop a Positron Emission Tomograhy (PET) perfusion imaging agent, which is now in Phase 1 clinical trials, as well as early stage programs in the areas of heart failure and imaging vulnerable plaque.
About PET Technology
A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that can detect changes within certain tissues or organs early, often before disease progresses.[i] In particular, PET images provide information about the function and metabolism of the body's organs, unlike computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which show the body's anatomy and structure.[ii] PET scanning is useful in evaluating a variety of conditions — including neurological disease, heart disease, infections, certain inflammatory diseases and cancer.[iii] For myocardial perfusion imaging, single photon emission tomography (SPECT) remains the dominant modality at this time; however, there is increasing interest in the actual use of PET for this purpose.[iv] In contrast with SPECT, PET instrumentation offers higher spatial resolution, greater sensitivity and accurate, well-validated attenuation correction.[v]
PET Tracer Program
BMS747158 has the potential to be one of the first agents of a new type of myocardial perfusion tracer to work with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) technology. BMS747158 is a fluorine 18-labeled pyridaben derivative that binds to the mitochondrial complex 1 (MC-1) inhibitor. Preliminary Phase I clinical study findings about the safety and biodistribution profile of BMS747158 illustrate its potential in myocardial perfusion PET imaging. Preliminary findings show high myocardial uptake stable over time with favorable myocardial to background ratios. These findings will be further expanded on in subsequent studies.
The continued growth of PET for myocardial perfusion imaging represents a broad, new application for a technology typically associated with oncology and neurology.
A new perfusion tracer for use with PET could lead to a wider application of this noninvasive imaging for the detection of coronary artery disease.
DEFINITY®/LUMINITY®
We currently have Phase 4 clinical trials underway to further define and expand the clinical utility of DEFINITY® Vial for (Perflutren Lipid Microsphere) Injectable Suspension in sub optimal echocardiograms, and have a continuing interest in pursuing additional indications in echocardiography and radiology. In the US, CaRES (Contrast Echocardiography REgistry for Safety Surveillance) is a multi-center Phase IV observational study that will further evaluate the safety profile of DEFINITY® in patients with suboptimal echocardiograms and provide safety information on the use of ultrasound contrast agents in routine clinical practice.
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