UPPSALA, Sweden & WAUKESHA, Wis.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–GE Healthcare, a unit
of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), and NXT2B, a privately owned venture
capital company, today announced they have entered into a joint financing
agreement with the goal of developing a micro-scale radiotracer infrastructure
including cyclotron and PET tracer production. The three-year development
project will be led by GE Healthcare and will be headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden.
The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“In line with GEs healthymagination strategy to develop
innovations that increase access, reduce cost and improve quality in the
healthcare system globally, GE Healthcare and NXT2B are pleased to announce a
joint financing project to develop an unmatched next generation of equipment
and software for the production of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracers,”
said Erik Strömqvist, general manager, Cyclotrons, GE Healthcare. “The goal of the
project is to develop a turn-key radiotracer infrastructure solution for the
production of PET tracers to primarily fulfill the needs of emerging markets,
for rural and regional hospitals, and researchers.”
At the core of the new TRACERcenter* 600 is a unique
compact, cost effective, easy to site cyclotron, and a radiotracer production
operation building on GE Healthcares more than 80- year legacy in
radiopharmaceuticals and chemistry. The PETtrace* 600 cyclotron will have
approximately 50 percent smaller footprint than a traditional cyclotron,
enabling siting in settings never before possible. Together with PETtrace 600,
TRACERcenter 600 solution will be capable of producing a full portfolio of F18
and C11 tracers to detect cancer and neurodegenerative disease.
“Were proud to partner with GE to help create greater
access to PET tracer production in areas of the world that previously did not
have access to and to address the large unmet needs for PET diagnostics in
oncology and neurology,” said Bengt Ã…gerup ,CEO and Founder, NXT2B.
While the technology of PET scanners have rapidly developed
and evolved, parallel advancements in the necessary tracer production equipment
and processes have not occurred. Current PET tracer production methods are
costly, complicated and require a large number of highly trained individuals.
With the inherent nature of the short lived isotopes, distribution is often not
possible due to lack of supporting infrastructure in regions where PET imaging
is expanding.
“Simplifying the process and technology of PET tracer
production involves a paradigm shift from a traditional approach to a small,
easy to use cyclotron, a chemistry module that is automated, and a complete and
compliant quality control process that is integrated into the system,” added
Stromqvist. “GEs cyclotrons have gained a reputation worldwide of being the
most reliable, most flexible and easily upgradeable, from a company recognized
as a partner by its customers.”
*Trademark of General Electric Company
ABOUT NXT2B
NXT2B is a privately owned investment company started in 2011 by the Swedish
entrepreneur Bengt Ã…gerup. NXT2B focuses on growth equity investments in
healthcare, medical devices and specialty pharmaceutical companies but also
invests in technology and consumer companies. With its structure, NXT2B is able
to make fast decisions on any investment opportunity and has invested in more
than 30 companies. NXT2B supports its portfolio company management teams not
only financially but also with entrepreneurial experience to build fast
growing, market leading companies. For more information about NXT2B visit our
website at www.nxt2b.com.
ABOUT GE HEALTHCARE:
GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that
are shaping a new age of patient care. Our broad expertise in medical
imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring
systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies,
performance improvement and performance solutions services help our
customers to deliver better care to more people around the world at a
lower cost. In addition, we partner with healthcare leaders, striving
to leverage the global policy change necessary to implement a
successful shift to sustainable healthcare systems.
Our “healthymagination” vision for the future invites the
world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations
focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality around
the world. Headquartered in the United
Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a unit of General
Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Worldwide, GE Healthcare employees are
committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than
100 countries. For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our website at www.gehealthcare.com.