MALVERN, Pa. - Siemens Medical Solutions has expanded its molecular imaging research collaboration with The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center with the establishment of a preclinical research center dedicated to the development of new, targeted biomarkers that may help detect cancers earlier, better visualize cancers at the molecular level, and provide more effective, tailored therapies. The center will be located on the M. D. Anderson campus in Houston at the same site as the cyclotron-equipped radiopharmacy jointly operated by M. D. Anderson and PETNET® Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens Medical Solutions.

Researchers from Siemens and M. D. Anderson will work together at the center to develop novel radiolabeled imaging agents that visualize molecular-genetic targets, facilitating the translation of laboratory findings into clinical imaging applications and helping researchers study the effects of new drugs and other cancer treatments. As part of the agreement, researchers at M. D. Anderson will perform preclinical testing of Siemens' proprietary and licensed compounds, as well as participate in Siemens' clinical trials. Siemens will have certain rights to license imaging agents developed through the research.

"Expanding our research collaboration with M. D. Anderson enables us to combine the academic intellect of some of the world's leading cancer researchers with Siemens' molecular imaging technologies and expertise to develop more specific biomarkers," said Michael Reitermann, president, Molecular Imaging Division, Siemens Medical Solutions. "Siemens' preclinical solutions are designed to help facilitate leading-edge research and accelerate the drug development process by empowering researchers to identify specific biological processes, monitor the efficacy of compounds, and measure disease progression over time."

As part of the collaboration at M. D. Anderson, Siemens is providing research scientists and radiochemical equipment dedicated to preclinical imaging for the laboratory, including Siemens' Inveon™ platform, a multimodality imaging solution that allows researchers to utilize a combination of preclinical hybrid imaging systems and preclinical analysis applications. The system enables Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), and CT data acquisition to be done separately or simultaneously. The Inveon's high PET resolution and sensitivity will help researchers during preclinical studies to detect early functional and metabolic changes in tumors, including epidermal growth factor receptor expression, in response to targeted therapies.

More Industry Headlines