Targeson Introduces First Out-of-Vial Ultrasound Contrast Agent for Molecular Imaging
La Jolla, CA – August 17, 2009 – Targeson announced the introduction of Visistar® Integrin, a targeted ultrasound contrast agent for use in preclinical drug discovery and basic science research. Visistar® Integrin is a novel microbubble contrast agent bearing a covalently coupled peptide that selectively binds alpha-v beta-3 integrin on the vascular endothelial surface. The alpha-v beta-3 integrin is a well-recognized biomarker of angiogenesis expressed on activated blood vessels. The contrast agent will be useful for scientists investigating the cellular/molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis, engaged in molecular imaging of integrin expression, and for researchers developing anti-cancer therapy who need to detect angiogenesis and visualize regions of tumor growth. Visistar® Integrin can be used with most clinical and pre-clinical ultrasound scanners. Agent echogenicity is optimal at ultrasound frequencies in 1-20 MHz range, and ultra-high frequency imaging (20-40 MHz) is also possible.
Targeson plans to develop a series of contrast agents in the Visistar® product line, with each product bearing covalently-bound ligands specific for molecular markers of disease. The Visistar agents represent a significant advance in ultrasound contrast agent design, as the formulation enables administration directly from the vial and eliminates the need for user conjugation of targeting molecules. Additionally, the Visistar agents utilize a biocompatible coupling chemistry, which eliminates the need for biotin/streptavidin conjugation reagents.
Targeted contrast ultrasound imaging has emerged as an important molecular imaging modality, as it provides a convenient and noninvasive technique for characterizing and evaluating biological processes in vivo. In tumor settings, ultrasound molecular imaging is being used increasingly to provide insight into expression levels of target proteins and to facilitate monitoring responses to therapeutic interventions. Targeson’s targeted contrast agent products enable researchers to expand the use of existing ultrasound scanners into molecular and functional imaging.
About Targeson
Targeson, Inc. (www.targeson.com) develops, manufactures, and markets ultrasound imaging agents for preclinical functional and molecular imaging applications. The company’s contrast agent technologies enable researchers to quantify microvascular perfusion and characterize diseases at the molecular level using portable and cost-efficient ultrasound ultrasound imaging. Targeson also currently offers:
Targestar®-P, a non-targeted ultrasound contrast agent designed to enhance contrast in the vasculature and can be used to image and quantify blood flow and vascular function.
Targestar®-SA, a targeted ultrasound contrast agent coated with streptavidin, enabling conjugation of a vast array of targeting ligands to the agent using standard biotin-avidin coupling chemistry. It can be used for diverse molecular imaging applications, including tumor angiogenesis, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular plaque, thrombosis, organ transplant rejection, and inflammatory bowel disease and other inflammatory disorders.