Collaboration to Advance Molecular Imaging Technology
|
By HospiMedica staff writers Posted on 20 Oct 2003 |
A collaboration to develop a cost-effective, readily accessible molecular imaging technology that can help more clinics and hospitals diagnose cancer has been announced by Philips Medical Systems (Best, The Netherlands) and CellPoint, L.L.C. (Englewood, CO, USA).
The collaboration will combine Cellpoint's novel diagnostic imaging agent and the nuclear medicine camera of Philips to make functional imaging readily available. The agreement will utilize CellPoint's ethylenedicysteine drug conjugate technology (EC technology), a delivery system that links tissue-specific ligands (hormones, proteins, peptides) or pharmaceutical compounds to radioisotopes for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Using clinical trial data, Philips will further develop and refine imaging techniques for SKYlight, its gantry-free nuclear camera, to determine requirements for the highest possible image quality and quantitative information about patients' disease.
The companies will collaborate on CellPoint's first imaging agent, Tc-99m-EC-deoxyglucose. EC technology allows the deoxyglucose to be labeled with the radioisotope technetium-99m (Tc-99m). The agent will target tumors, while single positron emission computed tomography (SPECT) cameras will image them, including Philips' nuclear medicine cameras. Tumors absorb more glucose than surrounding tissue, so when a cancer patient is injected with this chemically linked agent, active tumors will absorb both the glucose and the radioisotope.
"Philips has outstanding SPECT technology, and we're thrilled to strategically align ourselves with them to help advance molecular imaging agents, enabling more facilities to conduct cancer screening,” said Greg Colip, CEO of CellPoint. The company obtained the worldwide license to EC technology from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, USA).
Related Links:
CellPoint
Philips Medical
The collaboration will combine Cellpoint's novel diagnostic imaging agent and the nuclear medicine camera of Philips to make functional imaging readily available. The agreement will utilize CellPoint's ethylenedicysteine drug conjugate technology (EC technology), a delivery system that links tissue-specific ligands (hormones, proteins, peptides) or pharmaceutical compounds to radioisotopes for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Using clinical trial data, Philips will further develop and refine imaging techniques for SKYlight, its gantry-free nuclear camera, to determine requirements for the highest possible image quality and quantitative information about patients' disease.
The companies will collaborate on CellPoint's first imaging agent, Tc-99m-EC-deoxyglucose. EC technology allows the deoxyglucose to be labeled with the radioisotope technetium-99m (Tc-99m). The agent will target tumors, while single positron emission computed tomography (SPECT) cameras will image them, including Philips' nuclear medicine cameras. Tumors absorb more glucose than surrounding tissue, so when a cancer patient is injected with this chemically linked agent, active tumors will absorb both the glucose and the radioisotope.
"Philips has outstanding SPECT technology, and we're thrilled to strategically align ourselves with them to help advance molecular imaging agents, enabling more facilities to conduct cancer screening,” said Greg Colip, CEO of CellPoint. The company obtained the worldwide license to EC technology from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, USA).
Related Links:
CellPoint
Philips Medical
Latest Business News
- Quantum Surgical Acquires NeuWave from Johnson & Johnson
- Medtronic to Acquire Coronary Artery Medtech Company CathWorks
- Medtronic and Mindray Expand Strategic Partnership to Ambulatory Surgery Centers in the U.S.
- FDA Clearance Expands Robotic Options for Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
- WHX in Dubai (formerly Arab Health) to debut specialised Biotech & Life Sciences Zone as sector growth accelerates globally
- WHX in Dubai (formerly Arab Health) to bring together key UAE government entities during the groundbreaking 2026 edition
- Interoperability Push Fuels Surge in Healthcare IT Market
- Philips and Masimo Partner to Advance Patient Monitoring Measurement Technologies
- B. Braun Acquires Digital Microsurgery Company True Digital Surgery
- CMEF 2025 to Promote Holistic and High-Quality Development of Medical and Health Industry
- Bayer and Broad Institute Extend Research Collaboration to Develop New Cardiovascular Therapies
- Medtronic Partners with Corsano to Expand Acute Care & Monitoring Portfolio in Europe
- Expanded Collaboration to Transform OR Technology Through AI and Automation
- Becton Dickinson to Spin Out Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions Business
- Boston Scientific Acquires Medical Device Company SoniVie
- 2026 World Hospital Congress to be Held in Seoul
Channels
Artificial Intelligence
view channel
AI Model Identifies Rare Endocrine Disorder from Hand Images
Acromegaly is a rare, intractable disease that typically begins in middle age and causes enlargement of the hands and feet, changes in facial appearance, and abnormal bone and organ growth.... Read moreCritical Care
view channel
Simple 5-Minute Questionnaire Test Speeds Endometriosis Diagnosis
Endometriosis affects up to 11 percent of women of reproductive age and can significantly impact quality of life. Delayed diagnosis often occurs because symptoms may be mistaken for normal menstrual pain,... Read more
Nanohydrogels Guide Medicine to Tumors Without Damaging Healthy Tissue
Many cancer treatments are effective at destroying tumors but can also damage healthy tissue, causing severe side effects for patients. This occurs because conventional chemotherapy drugs circulate throughout... Read moreSurgical Techniques
view channel
Injectable Mini Livers Offer Hope for Patients Awaiting Transplant
Chronic liver disease and acute liver failure leave thousands dependent on transplantation, yet donor organs remain scarce and many patients are too frail for major surgery. The resulting treatment gap... Read more
Pulsed Field Ablation Technology Cleared in Europe for Persistent AFib
Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disorder that can cause dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath and is associated with an increased risk of stroke. Persistent atrial fibrillation, defined... Read morePatient Care
view channel
Revolutionary Automatic IV-Line Flushing Device to Enhance Infusion Care
More than 80% of in-hospital patients receive intravenous (IV) therapy. Every dose of IV medicine delivered in a small volume (<250 mL) infusion bag should be followed by subsequent flushing to ensure... Read more
VR Training Tool Combats Contamination of Portable Medical Equipment
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) impact one in every 31 patients, cause nearly 100,000 deaths each year, and cost USD 28.4 billion in direct medical expenses. Notably, up to 75% of these infections... Read more
Portable Biosensor Platform to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections
Approximately 4 million patients in the European Union acquire healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) or nosocomial infections each year, with around 37,000 deaths directly resulting from these infections,... Read moreFirst-Of-Its-Kind Portable Germicidal Light Technology Disinfects High-Touch Clinical Surfaces in Seconds
Reducing healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) remains a pressing issue within global healthcare systems. In the United States alone, 1.7 million patients contract HAIs annually, leading to approximately... Read moreHealth IT
view channel
EMR-Based Tool Predicts Graft Failure After Kidney Transplant
Kidney transplantation offers patients with end-stage kidney disease longer survival and better quality of life than dialysis, yet graft failure remains a major challenge. Although a successful transplant... Read more







