A medical breakthrough by researchers from ANSTO is backed in a bid to commercialise a way to image and manage patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease by the pharmaceutical company Bayer Schering Pharma.
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| ANSTO research programs are at the forefront of innovative medical research initiatives with the potential to deliver real benefits to millions of people. |
Human trials are set to begin in the United States on the new imaging technique involving the development of F-18 (Positron Emission Tomography [PET] isotope) PBR ligands for clinical applications.
The agreement with Bayer Schering Pharma stems from research performed by ANSTO scientists, Dr Andrew Katsifis and Ms Filomena Mattner who have generated a selective and specific Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography [SPECT] radioligand for the Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptor (PBR); 123I-CLINDE.
Collaborative research programs with the French Atomic Energy Commission – (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique) and the University of Tours, demonstrated the effectiveness of ANSTO’s PBR compounds in animal models of neurological diseases. At the same time, compounds incorporating an F-18 atom that can be used as PET imaging agents were prepared and intellectual property on these PET imaging agents was filed.
ANSTO’s Dr Ron Weiner says this Australian-grown research could prove to be a major step towards improving the diagnostic capabilities for a range of important conditions that are understood to be related to neuroinflammation.
“The diagnosis of neuroinflammation is believed to have the potential to monitor disease activity but we also believe it may be a crucial tool for researchers seeking to find treatments and cures. This technique would allow simple monitoring of therapeutic response,” Dr Weiner said.
There are currently more than 70,000 Australians and one million people in the United States suffering from Parkinson’s disease, while 245,000 Australians and 5.3 million Americans are estimated to suffer from dementia.
ANSTO CEO, Dr Adi Paterson said it is understood to be rare for agreements like this to be made between government research organisations and pharmaceutical companies.
“It demonstrates that ANSTO research programs are at the forefront of innovative medical research initiatives with the potential to deliver real benefits to millions of people. This agreement is a credit to the researchers as well as those who have fostered the links that have led to this arrangement with Bayer,” Dr Paterson said.
Published: 21/04/2010