Xlife Sciences AG: New project company x-nuclear diagnostic GmbH acquires new proprietary technology in nuclear medical diagnostics

DGAP-Media / 23.07.2020 / 07:30

This new technology was acquired with the existing patent landscape from the University Hospital Jena. The technology will be further developed for human medicine by x-nuclear diagnostic and other project companies of Xlife Sciences AG. The newly developed PET tracer has high potential in clinical application.

In nuclear medical diagnostics, patients are administered radioactive drugs which accumulate in various concentrations in human organs or tissues (depending on their pharmacological properties). Due to their radioactivity, their temporal and spatial distribution in the body can be detected externally and made visible through suitable measuring instruments. Currently, there are various challenges for the application of liver-specific contrast agents for CT or MRI examinations. One challenge is that the approved contrast agents are either very toxic or associated with high costs. In addition, MRI or CT examinations are only possible after premedication due to contraindications or are not possible at all due to implanted pacemakers and claustrophobia.

The idea to develop a liver-specific PET tracer to use in nuclear medicine arose from positive clinical experience with diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals. Based on the findings of the research work at University Hospital Jena, x-nuclear diagnostic has developed a PET tracer which is less toxic and can also be used for metal-heavy implants (as opposed to existing tracers, which cannot be used for heavy-metal implants). The PET tracer is based on the radioactive ₆₈GA-isotope and the so-called DAZA ligand (azacyclus 1,4-diazepan-6-amine). In addition, the production of this PET tracer is cheaper and easier.

The new PET tracer has great potential. Recently it has been used in vivo tests with great success. Researchers at the University Hospital of Jena are planning to test the newly developed PET tracer on 25 patients in their own nuclear medicine department in the first year after market launch. In the DACH region only, there are over 300 nuclear medicine specialists who could also use the PET tracer. If the estimated centres in the USA and Asia are included, the sales potential is expected to exceed EUR 1 billion per year.

About x-nuclar diagnostic GmbH

x-nuclear diagnostic is a project company (100%) of Xlife Sciences AG and a spin-off of the University Hospital Jena which researches on technologies in the field of diagnostic for application in nuclear medicine. The University Hospital Jena is the only university medical center in Thuringia. It is the largest employer in the region with more than 5600 employees. The medical faculty currently trains 2600 physicians. Researchers from over 50 nations are also working to advance medicine. The research focuses on sepsis and infection research, aging and age-associated diseases, medical optics and photonics.
For more information, please visit: www.uniklinikum-jena.de

About Xlife Sciences AG

Xlife Sciences AG is a Swiss company with focus on investing in promising technologies in the life science industry. Xlife Sciences AG is building the bridge from research and development to healthcare markets by supporting researchers and entrepreneurs in positioning, structuring, developing and implementing their concepts. Together with industrial partners or universities, Xlife Sciences AG leads projects through the proof-of-concept phase after an invention disclosure or start-up. Subsequently, the firm focuses on out-licensing or selling the company, often with a combination of a strategic partnership. Xlife Sciences AG offers its investors direct access to the further development of innovative and future-oriented technologies at a very early stage.
For more information, please visit: www.xlifesciences.ch

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