Molecular Imaging, Inc. and Oncotest GmbH announced today that they have entered into a collaboration and co-promotion agreement to apply Molecular Imaging’s experience and expertise in in-vivo pre-clinical Imaging to the pioneering Patient Derived Xenograft (PDX) work of Oncotest.
Under the terms of the agreement both companies will promote the ability to perform PDX pharmacology studies with ‘best in class’ in vivo imaging capabilities, allowing researchers in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies access to imaging endpoints that enhance their decision-making around the selection and development of new oncology drug candidates.
Molecular Imaging is a specialty contract research organization (CRO) providing in vivo preclinical imaging services. With a proven track record of imaging and discovery expertise in oncology, the Company’s pharmaco-IMAGING platform includes MRI, PET, SPECT, bioluminescence, fluorescence (two- and three-dimensional with fluorescence molecular tomography) and micro-CT. Molecular Imaging also provides supportive pharmacology and in vitro services. The Company has performed over 2000 cell line based traditional oncology studies and over 500 imaging enhanced studies since its founding in 2003.
Oncotest was founded in 1993 by Prof. Dr. Heinz-Herbert Fiebig, MD, PhD, from his pioneering work in predicting the response of a patient towards cancer drugs by using patient tumor material. Oncotest has established and comprehensively molecularly and pharmacologically profiled more than 350 PDX models covering a wide variety of tumor types that offer direct connection to the clinic.
“Adding PDX capabilities from one of the pioneering companies to our ability to interrogate the pharmacology of novel drug candidates with highly relevant imaging endpoints is something our clients have been asking for, and is an important part of our pharmaco-IMAGING platform,” said Dr. Wilbur Leopold, Vice President Oncology at Molecular Imaging. “It was obvious from the beginning of our discussions that our two companies have a shared vision for quality and cutting edge technology, and this relationship will create an impressive new industry resource that will enhance efforts to create tomorrow’s cancer medicines.”
“We are excited at the prospect of being able to offer PDX models from our collection in conjunction with Molecular Imaging’s state-of-the-art imaging capabilities,” said Heiner Fiebig, founder and CEO of Oncotest. “This will allow our clients to explore a much wider range of tumor response endpoints, including mechanistic endpoints, than has been previously possible.”
For more information please contact www.molecularimaging.com.
