Targeson

Charlottesville, VA – Sept 28, 2008 - Targeson announced that it has received notice of award of a Phase I small business innovation research (SBIR) award from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The goal of the project is to develop a novel ultrasound contrast agent for molecular imaging of angiogenesis in tumor tissues. Angiogenesis is an essential component of tumor growth and elicits distinctive molecular characteristics in angiogenic endothelial cells. The molecular diversity of angiogenic endothelial cells provides an avenue for delivering targeted contrast agents specifically to the tumor vasculature. Targeson aims to utilize its expertise in contrast agent targeting to generate an ultrasound probe bearing covalently-bound ligands specific for multiple molecular markers of angiogenesis.  The agent will expand upon Targeson’s current product line, Targestar™, by enabling direct-from-vial administration of contrast agents and eliminating the need for user conjugation to targeting molecules.

According to Targeson VP for Product Development, Christopher Anderson, PhD, “We are developing a highly efficient and easy to use product for detecting and demarcating angiogenic tumors in the setting of basic science and drug discovery research. A multi-targeted contrast agent will be useful for scientists evaluating the development of tumors over time and for researchers developing anti-cancer therapy, who need to detect angiogenesis and visualize the regions of tumor growth.”

Molecular imaging has emerged as an essential tool in cancer research, and ultrasound is an emerging molecular imaging technique. Ultrasound currently has a significant footprint in cancer research, although these systems are primarily used for anatomical imaging. Targeson’s targeted contrast agent products enable researchers to expand the use of existing ultrasound scanners into molecular and functional imaging. The Company is focused upon developing contrast agents for molecular imaging of tumor angiogenesis, as well as inflammatory disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease and atherosclerosis. About Targeson

Targeson, LLC is an early-stage biotechnology company active in the field of ultrasound contrast imaging. The Company has developed two contrast agent formulations, currently available for preclinical functional and molecular imaging applications. Targeson is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA. For more information, visit www.targeson.com.