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News Release :: |
| May 16, 2006 |
Release of Pre-Clinical Imaging System
More Efficient Pharmaceutical Development Process
through Improved Accuracy of Pre-clinical Trials
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SII NanoTechnology Inc. has concluded a distribution
agreement with Gamma Medica-Ideas Inc., (GM-I) of Northridge,
California (U.S.A.). Under the agreement, SII NanoTechnology
will sell GM-I's Pre-Clinical Imaging System for small
animals that integrates ultra-high-resolution CT1,
PET2, and SPECT3
systems.
CT (Computed Tomography1)
has been employed since the 1970s to acquire high resolution
anatomical images used for diagnosing various diseases.
It is also an effective pre-clinical imaging tool employed
widely by researchers.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography2)
and SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography3)
are widely utilized nuclear medicine molecular imaging4
techniques used to diagnose and plan treatments. In
recent years, PET and SPECT have been in the spotlight
in pre-clinical trials.
GM-I's Pre-Clinical Imaging System was the first system
in the world to integrate CT, PET, and SPECT. The system
can be configured with any combination of PET, SPECT,
or CT subsystems, depending on a researcher's needs.
By combining anatomical data (CT) with functional data
(SPECT or PET), more precise in-vivo information can
be obtained. As a result of the adoption of these in-vivo
imaging techniques, researchers are learning more rapidly
about the causes and progression of a broad range of
diseases.
CT, PET, and SPECT are being used to dramatically improve
the efficiency of drug development and decrease the
time to market for new drugs. SII NanoTechnology's distribution
of this full suite of Pre-Clinical Imaging Systems in
Japan will further expand the utilization of CT, PET,
and SPECT by researchers engaged in drug development
and the study of oncology, neurology, cardiology, and
other physiological processes.
Main Features of the GM-I's Pre-Clinical Imaging System:
1. Flexible combinations of CT, PET, and SPECT
CT may be combined with PET or SPECT, or even with both
simultaneously, depending on a researcher's requirements.
The worldfs first integration of CT, PET, and SPECT
in one imaging system was achieved by GM-I in this Pre-Clinical
Imaging System. The system can also be configured as
a standalone SPECT system, a standalone PET system,
a standalone CT system, or any combination of these
modalities.
2. Accurate co-registration of images
The integration of CT with PET or SPECT eliminates the
need to transfer imaging subjects between imaging systems,
enabling co-registration and fusion of anatomical and
functional images without any misalignment. The resulting
fused images achieve significantly more accurate localization
and quantification results than can be achieved from
an analysis of separate, non-fused images.
3. Decreased load on the subject
The use of molecular imaging technology allows researchers
to externally observe the vital physiological functions
of an imaging subject, thereby decreasing the load on
the subject. Since images can be acquired continuously
using a single sample, the number of subjects needed
to obtain accurate results can be reduced, and consequently
the length of experiments can also be reduced significantly.
Sales start date: May 16, 2006
Price: 70 million yen to 200 million yen
Overview of GM-I
| Company Name: |
Gamma Medica-Ideas, Inc. |
| Representative: |
Dr. Bradley E. Patt, President and Chief Executive
Officer |
| Address: |
19355 Business Center Dr., Ste. 8
Northridge, CA 91324, USA |
| Business Description: |
Gamma Medica-Ideas (GM-I) has offices in the
USA, Norway, and Italy. The company designs, develops
and manufactures next-generation imaging systems
used in diagnostic medicine, medical research,
and for security and safety applications. GM-I
is a world leader in developing imaging systems
that contain two or more imaging capabilities.
Combining different imaging capabilities in single
instruments creates imaging tools with powerful
diagnostic and research capabilities. |
SII NanoTechnology will participate in Japanese Society
for Molecular Imaging organization meeting held on
July 23 and 24 at Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennital
Hall, exhibiting panels on this Pre-Clinical Imaging
System.
Pre-Clinical Imaging System
Glossary
1CT
CT stands for Computed Tomography. In this imaging
method, the subject is irradiated with focused X-rays
to acquire a series of images from multiple angles.
The distribution of intensity of the transmitted
X-rays is measured, and then the acquired data is
processed with a computer to generate a three-dimensional
distribution of X-ray transmission levels in the
subject. The resulting image can be viewed either
in cross-sections or three-dimensional views. CT
is mainly used to measure the existence and location
of various normal and abnormal skeletal structures
and tissue types (such as organs and tumors).
2PET
PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography. In
this imaging method, a chemical agent labeled with
an isotope that emits positrons is administered
to a subject, and then the three-dimensional distribution
of that chemical agent is detected with a special
sensor. Images are obtained using advanced iterative
computer processing algorithms. PET is mainly used
to measure biochemical functions at the molecular
level.
31SPECT
SPECT stands for Single Photon Emission Computed
Tomography. In this imaging method, a chemical agent
containing a gamma ray-emitting radioactive element
is administered to a subject, and the three-dimensional
distribution of the chemical agent is then detected
with one or more gamma ray cameras. Images are obtained
using advanced iterative computer processing algorithms.
SPECT is mainly used to measure biochemical functions
at the molecular level.
4Molecular imaging
Molecular imaging is a technology used to observe
the biological and physiological functions underlying
diseases by monitoring in-vivo changes and actions
of genes and proteins at the molecular level in
the living state of subjects. State-of-the-art molecular
images obtained from PET or SPECT are co-registered
with anatomical images obtained from CT. This enables
researchers to accurately localize the functional
activity at the molecular level, and decreases the
load on the subject. Because of these tremendous
benefits, researchers around the world are rapidly
adopting molecular imaging techniques.
Inquiry
Press Contact
Corporate Communications Group
TEL: 03-6280-0061
Product Inquiry
Business Strategy Office
TEL: 06-6871-0061
Online Inquiry
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