Bloomington, MN, November 1, 2010 - ImmunoChemistry Technologies announced that they will receive two Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Grants from the IRS in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Near Infrared Tracers For Imaging Apoptosis In Vivo ($243,031.30)
ICT's technology utilizes cell membrane permeable fluorescent dyes, conjugated to a pan caspase enzyme inhibitor, to non-invasively image apoptosis in vivo. In this project, we are the first to develop fluorophores in the near-infrared range that are cell membrane permeable to create tracers for optical imaging of apoptosis.
Having recently validated the ability of these near-infrared tracers to detect apoptosis in vitro, we have begun testing these tracers in mouse models of breast and prostate cancer and glioma. To date, the data demonstrate: a) the basal level of apoptosis present within the tumor, b) enhanced levels of apoptosis following treatment with anti-cancer therapy, c) specificity of uptake of the enzyme inhibitor as opposed to the dye, and d) the pharmacodynamics and kinetics of tracer uptake and clearance. These data are to be repeated and extended to other cancer therapy models as well as other animal models of disease.
We anticipate launching these new near-infrared apoptosis detection reagents into the marketplace before the end of 2010. These new near-infrared tracers will join our current FLIVO™ and FLICA™ product lines that contain fluorescein and sulforhodamine-conjugated apoptosis detection reagents.
Moreover, there are some applications to human diagnostics and therapeutics that may benefit from the use of these novel near-infrared tracers, namely in ophthalmology, cardiology, dermatology, and melanoma. We therefore intend to pursue these reagents further into the pre-clinical and then clinical phases of approval by the FDA.
MRI of Apoptosis Using New Tracers Specific for Caspase Activity ($111,386.50)
ICT's technology utilizes cell membrane permeable reporter molecules, conjugated to a pan-caspase enzyme inhibitor, to detect apoptosis. In this project, we are developing novel 19-F magnetic-resonance-based tracers for imaging (MRI) apoptosis. We have recently validated the ability of two 19-F MRI candidate tracers to detect apoptosis in vitro. We have six more candidate tracers that are in the pipeline to be synthesized.
When the tracers have all been validated (or excluded) for their ability to bind caspase enzymes in vitro, we will select the MRI tracers that exhibit the best binding characteristics for further testing in experimental animals. Accordingly, we will then evaluate: a) the required chemistry to create the tracers in quantities and purity necessary for commercial production, b) the basal levels of apoptosis in experimental animal models of disease and the enhanced levels of apoptosis exhibited following treatment, c) the dosing requirements and toxicity of the candidate tracers in experimental animals, and d) the pharmacodynamics and kinetics of clearance of the MRI tracer's uptake and clearance. We anticipate that our novel MRI tracer(s) will be launched into the research-use only market sometime in 2012.
More pertinent, however, are the applications to human diagnostics and therapeutics that will benefit from the use of this novel MRI tracer. The ability to detect apoptotic cells in human patients using MRI impels us to pursue these reagents further into the pre-clinical and then clinical phases of FDA approval.
Learn more about ICT's research at http://www.immunochemistry.com/research.
©2010 ImmunoChemistry Technologies | Bright Minds, Bright Solutions™
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