From the June 2016 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine


HCB News: What other aspect of molecular imaging, be it high energy or low energy, should our readers know about?
TO: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a powerful tool for diagnosing cancer, then staging and monitoring cancer treatment. I expect PET diagnostics to grow over the next several years as new oncology pharmaceuticals, some for orphan indications, come to market. In May 2015, Forbes indicated, “the global market for cancer drugs has hit $100 billion in annual sales, and could reach $147 billion by 2018, according to a new report by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics.” As new cancer treatments come to market, we expect PET to experience growth related to this trend.

Additionally, we expect to see PET’s use in neurology deepen over the next several years. Each of us knows someone impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, and the Imaging Dementia — Evidence for Amyloid Scanning (IDEAS) study was started in February 2016. With funding of $100 million, the IDEAS study will evaluate the clinical usefulness and value of a brain PET scan in detecting amyloid accumulation associated with Alzheimer’s disease. We’re optimistic about how many patients could benefit from this study. In my career, I’ve witnessed the evolution of patients becoming more informed and savvy. They may, in fact, start demanding future diagnostic testing for conditions such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
The recent movie, “Concussion," starring Will Smith, is bringing the topic of sports-related CTE to the general population. Researchers are evaluating PET tracers being used in the diagnosis of CTE, which would have tremendous impact on so many lives. If you have a loved one who is currently or has previously played a contact sport, I know this is research you’ll be keeping an eye on.

HCB News: We do not expect to see a lot of growth in either the quantity of radiopharmaceuticals sold or the price of those radiopharmaceuticals. What will the industry do in order to remain competitive and grow?
TO: As I mentioned earlier, the molecular imaging industry is full of passionate individuals focused on improving patient health. I believe that with continued investment in research through public and private organizations, along with government grants, we’ll continue to see new developments that will grow our industry. The IDEAS study is a great example of financial investment from both industry and government in order to advance diagnosis and treatment.

Another key aspect I believe plays a strong role in industry growth is the innovation of imaging equipment. SPECT and PET cameras are continuously improving, and we expect to see tremendous innovation for both SPECT and PET cameras within the next 10 years. Just like most technological advancement, we’ll expect to see these cameras become increasingly accurate, faster, less expensive and more flexible. We’ll see advances in digital and hybrid cameras, and innovation in the sharing of diagnostic information. These advances will aid in earlier detection, diagnosis of additional indications, faster and more accurate test results, and ultimately improve patient access, diagnosis and care.

HCB News: Is the future in radiotherapeutics?
TO: We are optimistic about the future of radiotherapeutics and believe the strong pipeline will lead to continued innovations. I believe this takes a strong collaboration between providers, researchers and financial investment through federal grants. As we’ve seen with current radiotherapies, this can have a dramatic impact on patients’ lives. We’re excited to be part of the future that is precision medicine, using targeted therapies that will improve patient outcomes and reduce side effects.

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