December 18, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

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The Technology: A Novel Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange (SABRE) Catalyst Provides Improved Results in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Used In Metabolic Sensing

The National Heart Lung & Blood Institute (NHLBI) and NCI are seeking research co-development partners and/or licensees for a novel technology: a newly developed method of obtaining hyperpolarized imaging agents for real-time metabolic imaging using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This method, catalyst and the resulting imaging agents, can be used in MRI metabolic imaging to detect cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injury, and also can be used to monitor therapies without the presence of metals such as gadolinium or iron.  Learn about this new technology by attending a free webinar on December 18th and hear from Rolf Swenson, Ph.D., the co-inventor.

 

 

 

 

About the Technology

To generate hyperpolarized MRI imaging agents for use in patients, scientists developed a unique method that uses a unique, recyclable perfluorinated Iridium SABRE (Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange) catalyst. Hyperpolarized MRI is a non-invasive, non-radioactive technique that enables real-time, pathway-specific investigation of in vivo metabolic processes and disease mechanisms, previously inaccessible with conventional imaging.

For example, by amplifying the signal of [1-13C]pyruvate molecules through hyperpolarization, the real-time visualization of metabolic processes becomes possible and provides crucial insights in the study of a wide range of diseases. Traditional methods for obtaining hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate are highly expensive and time consuming.

When combined with a fluorinated/methanol blend, this novel SABRE catalyst:

• boosts [1-13C]pyruvate hyperpolarization by 1.2-fold
• is easily separable and recyclable
• retains its activity for at least 10 hyperpolarization cycles.

The resulting hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate is obtained in a fraction of the time (15 minutes versus several hours) and at a fraction of the cost associated with traditional methods.

Attend to learn about:

• This novel method
• The types of novel SABRE catalysts that can be used
• Novel types of hyperpolarized imaging agents that can be produced by this method.

Potential Commercial Applications

• MRI imaging
• Hyperpolarization (a technique that has many applications)
• Infusion Device for imaging reagents
• Cancer diagnostics
• Cardiovascular disease diagnostics

Competitive Advantages

• Fast cycle times; (hyperpolarized pyruvate obtained in one minute with SABRE catalyst versus hours by traditional means).
• Recyclable over many hyperpolarization cycles.
• Maintains catalytic activity over many hyperpolarization cycles.
• Low production costs.
• SABRE process eliminates the need for gadolinium or iron.

Who should attend?

• Business development professionals
• Parties interested in scouting for technologies to improve MRI outcomes
• Biotech/pharma/academia researchers
• Investors and entrepreneurs

Why attend?

• Assess co-developing the technology
• Interact with the inventor, ask questions and provide feedback
• Learn how to partner with NIH and NHLBI facilitated by the NCI Technology Transfer Center 

If you are interested in learning more about how to co-develop and/or license this technology, please contact Michael.Salgaller@nih.gov.

Learn more about publications and patents associated with this technology.