Outsourcing-pharma looks at imaging in drug development

By Alexandria Pesic

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Contract research organisation Medical imaging

Outsourcing-pharma takes a look at all the latest developments in the rapidly expanding drug development imaging sector with news from Aspect and Medisco, VirtualScopics and ABX-CRO and ACR Image Metrix.

Integrated PET-MRI will “open new frontier in drug development” say Aspect and Mediso

Aspect Magnet Technologies and Mediso Medical Imaging Systems have collaborated to create a compact integrated PET-MRI system, after demand for imaging systems recovers from recent cooling of the economic climate.

The companies are developing a multi modality system, combining positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) into one which, Aspect said, allows researchers to capture PET and MRI images for preclinical trials without the need to reposition an animal subject.

“Having access to imaging information is a critical part of preclinical research,”​ said Istvan Bagamery, founder and managing director of Mediso, claiming “the enhanced images from this new integrated PET-MRI system will help power scientific discovery and will open a new frontier in drug development.”

The companies assert medical imaging has become a significant and useful tool for use in preclinical and clinical trials, enabling rapid diagnosis from visualisation and quantitative assessment. The new combined compact system, they say, also offers a space-saving, cost-effective solution to researchers.

“Our MRI systems can sit next to any other type of equipment without special accommodations, so the natural next step is for us to integrate our MRI technology with Mediso’s cutting-edge PET,”​ said Uri Rapoport, founder and CEO of Aspect, who hopes the system will offer “robust preclinical imaging information”​ to researchers.

VirtualScopics and ABX-CRO partner on trials

Clinical trials imaging solutions provider, VirtualScopics, and the Dresden, Germany based contract research organisation, ABX-CRO, have partnered to provide an integrated service in the area of functional imaging.

The firms will concentrate their efforts on PET, MRI, and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to offer specialist advice to customers looking to “capitalise on molecular imaging’s ability to quantitatively assess pharmacokinetics and metabolism.”

“This collaboration will allow each company’s customers to source best in class service offerings on a global basis,”​ commented Jeff Markin, CEO of VirtualScopics.

“The coupling of VirtualScopics’ robust image acquisition and analysis package and ABX-CRO’s expertise with new and evolving tracers will provide a unique and unparalleled solution with regard to the use of functional imaging in drug and medical device development,”​ he said.

ACR Image Metrix launches training website

Philadelphia-based ACR Image Metrix has revamped the training section of its website to emphasise its range of technical expertise in what is a complex and rapidly expanding field within clinical research.

The imaging services contract research organisation (CRO) has added new features a scientific showcase, white papers, scientific imaging videos as well as case studies detailing projects the firm has already completed.

The move is part of a wider programme of that has seen ACR expand its clinical research services in imaging trial design, techniques and data extraction in an effort to grow its customer base on a global scale.

Related topics Preclinical Research

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