VisualSonics and Bracco Sign Exclusive Partnership to Provide MicroMarker(TM) Molecular Imaging Kits; Manufacturing and Technology Collaboration Will Leverage Annual $500 Million Market.TORONTO & GENEVA -- VisualSonics (Toronto), the world's leading developer of high-resolution, ultrasound-based, in vivo in vivo /in vi·vo/ (ve´vo) [L.] within the living body. in vi·vo adj. Within a living organism. in vivo adv. micro-imaging systems, and Bracco Group, the foremost developer and manufacturer of ultrasound-based contrast agents, today announced an exclusive agreement for the joint development and manufacture of MicroMarker(TM) contrast agents optimized for pre-clinical molecular imaging on VisualSonics' Vevo 770(R) micro-ultrasound platform. Under the exclusive arrangement, Bracco will develop and manufacture a complete range of contrast agent kits for VisualSonics' rapidly growing customer base using the Vevo 770(TM) micro-ultrasound platform specifically designed for the preclinical research market. Bracco will manufacture the agents based on its proprietary technology at Bracco Research SA of Geneva. The two companies will collaborate to develop a complete range of kits and protocols for a variety of biomarkers and research applications including cancer, cardio and vascular applications. "With the addition of contrast-enhanced molecular imaging capabilities to its micro-ultrasound technology, VisualSonics/Bracco offer the only platform with high spatial and temporal resolution Temporal resolution refers to the precision of a measurement with respect to time. Often there is a tradeoff between temporal resolution of a measurement and its spatial precision (spatial resolution). that simultaneously provides anatomical, functional and molecular data," comments Dr. Michel Schneider, Director of Bracco Research SA. He continues, "We are thrilled to help leverage micro-ultrasound's capabilities by providing the highest quality-controlled kits and protocols optimized for a variety of imaging applications." VisualSonics' CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Tom Little states, "By providing high-quality application-specific MicroMarker(TM) 'kits' VisualSonics and Bracco are in an ideal position to penetrate the $500 million incremental annual market potential in preclinical contrast agent revenues." Little adds, "By partnering with Bracco, we are able to leverage their world-class expertise in manufacturing contrast agent kits and quickly provide a variety of application-specific kits and protocols optimized for our customers' specific research and drug discovery and development needs." The VisualSonics/Bracco agreement will further the utility of micro-imaging for quantifying biomarkers, validating therapeutic efficacy of drug candidates and providing a platform for transferring research from the preclinical realm to the clinic. The announcement represents the latest development in a series of significant advances in the molecular imaging industry including the launch of its cancer-related molecular application at AACR AACR American Association for Cancer Research AACR Anglo-American Cataloging Rules AACR Australasian Association of Cancer Registries AACR African Armed Conflicts Resolved (American Association American Association refers to one of the following professional baseball leagues:
An online video announcement of the partnership is available at www.visualsonics.com. About VisualSonics VisualSonics is the world's leading developer of high-resolution, ultrasound-based, in vivo micro-imaging systems designed specifically for non-invasive preclinical research. The company's micro-ultrasound technology, the Vevo 770, allows researchers at the world's most prestigious pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, hospitals and research centers to conduct genetic research, phenotypic study and drug development. Micro-ultrasound is the fastest growing preclinical imaging modality. This enabling technology is facilitating research in cardiac and vascular disease, cancer, stem cell stem cell In living organisms, an undifferentiated cell that can produce other cells that eventually make up specialized tissues and organs. There are two major types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. research and developmental biology Developmental biology A large field of investigation that includes the study of all changes associated with an organism as it progresses through the life cycle. The life cycles of all multicellular organisms exhibit many similarities. . When compared to other imaging options, only micro-ultrasound has the combination of high-resolution, real-time imaging 'real-time' imaging Visualization of a dynamic process µsecs after occurring, which requires rapid information processing–ie, as the process occurs, as in 'B' mode ultrasound , in vivo detection and analysis, reasonable cost, ease-of-use, portability and no negative biological effects. VisualSonics can be found at www.visualsonics.com. About Bracco The Bracco Group is a leader in the diagnostic imaging market, with net sales Net Sales The amount a seller receives from the buyer after costs associated with the sale are deducted. Notes: This amount is calculated by subtracting the following items from gross sales: merchandise returned for credit, allowances for damaged or missing goods, freight of about 800 million Euro. Bracco has operations in 115 countries and about 2,200 employees, around 400 of whom work in R&D. Bracco invests approximately 15% of its annual turnover in R&D and has a portfolio of about 3,000 granted and pending patents worldwide. The Bracco Group provides the diagnostic imaging market with an integrated product offering from a diverse roster of subsidiary companies. While Bracco is recognized internationally as a market leader in its core business of contrast media, Bracco also markets key diagnostic imaging resources through the following companies: ACIST Medical Systems, a manufacturer of advanced contrast media injection systems, located in Minneapolis, and Singapore-based Volume Interactions, which also produces 3-D advanced medical software. Bracco also operates a high-level international research network, with three centers (Milan, Geneva, and Princeton). These centers develop products of the latest-generation diagnostic techniques, from X-ray and computed tomography Computed tomography (CT scan) X rays are aimed at slices of the body (by rotating equipment) and results are assembled with a computer to give a three-dimensional picture of a structure. (CT) to magnetic resonance imaging magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), noninvasive diagnostic technique that uses nuclear magnetic resonance to produce cross-sectional images of organs and other internal body structures. (MRI 1. (application) MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2. MRI - Measurement Requirements and Interface. ), nuclear medicine (NM) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS CEUS Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound ). |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion