NEWINGTON, Conn., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- SibTech Inc. today announced the launch of a novel targeted contrast agent, VEGF/Cy for in vivo imaging of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR). These receptors are crucial molecular markers of angiogenesis, a process of developing new blood vessels in cancer and many other diseases. Angiogenesis is a target of multi- billion dollars R&D efforts with majority of experimental therapeutics targeting VEGF receptors. Since VEGF/Cy selectively binds to VEGFR, imaging with this agent visualizes growing blood vessels and their response to various treatments. Thus, VEGF/Cy is a powerful tool for accelerated development of new therapeutics.
VEGF/Cy is the first commercially available targeted contrast agent for in vivo VEGFR imaging. It is based on a proprietary single chain VEGF protein, expressed with a cysteine-containing tag designed for non-destructive, site- specific modification. VEGF/Cy is created by labeling this tag with near- infrared fluorescent Cy5.5 dye that is used under a licensing agreement with GE Healthcare (Piscataway, NJ). The in vivo imaging efficacy of VEGF/Cy has been validated in several animal models, with experimental data presented at recent scientific meetings.
VEGF/Cy is extremely stable, and its emission spectrum is ideal for imaging with all near-infrared imaging equipments available on the market.
“We are excited about the opportunities that VEGF/Cy will create for the research community,” stated Joseph Backer, Co-founder and CEO of SibTech, Inc. “We believe it will help track responses of tumor vasculature to experimental therapeutics in animal models, and accelerate their clinical development. We are working on developing novel VEGF-driven imaging and therapeutic conjugates for clinical use.”
About SibTech, Inc.
SibTech is a privately held biopharmaceutical company that develops protein-driven conjugates for targeted delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents. With more that $3.5 MM in Small Business Innovative Research Grants from National Institutes of Health, Department of Energy, and Department of Defense, SibTech has developed a new platform technology for loading therapeutic and diagnostic payloads onto targeting proteins. In this approach, targeting proteins are expressed with a proprietary smart tag engineered for non-destructive, site-specific conjugation of virtually any payload. Currently, SibTech is developing therapeutic and diagnostic constructs for targeting tumor vasculature.
For more information, contact: Dr. Joseph M. Backer Chief Executive Officer SibTech, Inc. 705 North Mountain Road Newington, CT 06111 Phone: (860) 953-1164 Fax: (860) 953-1317 E-mail: jbacker@sibtech.com
SibTech Inc.
CONTACT: Dr. Joseph M. Backer, Chief Executive Officer of SibTech, Inc.+1-860-953-1164 jbacker@sibtech.com
Web site: http://www.sibtech.com//
