LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week Imanova, a world-leading expert in imaging sciences, has signed an agreement that grants the company the right to manufacture for distribution and on-site use [18F]MK-6240, an early stage investigational Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging agent. This will facilitate studies assessing the status and progression of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. NFTs made up of aggregated tau protein are a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s Disease.
In January 2017 Cerveau Technologies, Inc. announced an exclusive license agreement with MSD, through a subsidiary, for the global development and commercialization of the early stage investigational imaging agent ([18F]MK-6240). Since then, Cerveau has been working with a growing set of pharmaceutical, biotech and academic collaborations to provide information about the status and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Imanova is now the latest, in a series of organisations, to secure the right to manufacture this tau ligand. “At Cerveau, we are focused on providing information and technologies to researchers and clinicians to improve brain health,” said Rick Hiatt, President of Cerveau Technologies, Inc. “We are excited by the opportunity to work with Imanova and the biotech industry in providing access to this novel imaging agent to the broader scientific community.”
Kevin Cox, Imanova’s CEO, said “The access to this ligand will allow us to advance the research into Alzheimer’s Disease and provide valuable information about the stages and progression of the disease. We look forward to this ongoing collaboration with Cerveau Technologies and their partner organisations.”
About Imanova
Imanova is a world-leading expert in imaging sciences and their application to the understanding of disease and translational drug development. Its industry expertise and extensive links with clinicians and scientists in academia provide unrivalled capabilities to facilitate drug development.
About Cerveau Technologies, Inc.
Cerveau Technologies, Inc. is a partnership between Enigma Biomedical Group, Inc. and Sinotau Pharmaceutical Group. Cerveau’s vision is to globally develop diagnostics and technology that positively impact patients with neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.
About MK-6240
In early studies published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, scientists reported that [18F]MK-6240 has a high specificity and selectivity for neurofibrillary tangles with favourable physicochemical properties and in vivo pharmacokinetics that warranted clinical investigation as a potential PET neuroimaging agent. MSD and Cerveau are conducting an open-label Phase 1 study to investigate the safety and characterize the use of [18F]MK-6240 as a PET imaging agent for quantifying brain burden of neurofibrillary tangle pathology.
Cerveau Technologies, Inc.
Rick Hiatt, 617-906-2715
RFhiatt@cerveautechnologies.com
