May. 24th, 2017. (BUSINESS WIRE) – Cerveau Technologies, Inc. today announced a research collaboration with the Clinical Imaging Research Centre (CIRC), a joint venture by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the National University of Singapore (NUS), to support various research projects studying the stages of Alzheimer’s Disease and other Neurodegenerative disease. These research projects will utilize an investigational imaging agent (MK-6240) to be used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans for assessing the status and progression of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. NFTs made up of aggregated tau protein are a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.
As part of the agreement, Cerveau will provide support for various research projects at CIRC and will supply the MK-6240 precursor needed for the initiatives.
Professor David William Townsend, Director of CIRC, stated, “Imaging tau protein in the brains of Alzheimer patients is now recognized as an extremely important step. These research projects will therefore provide valuable information about the stages and progression of the disease. CIRC’s collaboration with Cerveau Technologies will leverage this unique technology to support various research initiatives within the industry.”
“At Cerveau, we are focused on providing information and technologies to researchers and clinicians to improve brain health,” said Rick Hiatt, President of Cerveau Technologies, Inc., “We are excited by the opportunity to work with the CIRC and the pharmaceutical industry to provide access to this novel imaging agent to the broader scientific community. The collaboration with CIRC will be an important component of our strategy of developing an international network of key collaborators and production sites to allow broad access for scientific research and clinical trial support.”
About Cerveau Technologies, Inc.
Cerveau Technologies, Inc. is a partnership between Enigma Biomedical Group, Inc. and Sinotau Pharmaceutical Group. Cerveau’s vision is to globally develop diagnostics and technology that positively impact patients with neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.
About CIRC
Established in 2008, the Clinical Imaging Research Centre (CIRC) is a joint venture between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
CIRC undertakes world-class research using state-of-the-art imaging tools and technology, and is a shared national resource for clinical imaging research in Singapore.
CIRC will have as focal points:
• the development, testing and validation of new imaging technologies, methods, biomarkers and imaging agents for human studies
• to carry out translational/clinical imaging research involving humans for the development of novel interventions and imaging.
• to initiate and develop collaboration between basic scientists and clinicians at A*STAR, NUS, other collaborative research institutes, and the pharmaceutical and medical diagnostics industries.