Translational Imaging Center to Speed Drug Development, Lower Costs

MATTAWAN, Mich., Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- MPI Research, inviCRO, and 3D Imaging today formally announced the name of their new advanced imaging center being built at the MPI Research headquarters in Mattawan, Mich. A joint partnership by the three organizations, the Translational Imaging Center, is the first resource for the drug development community to combine molecular imaging, autoradiography, and animal modeling with an onsite cyclotron, vivarium, and advanced image analytics.

When completed in early spring, the Center will have the unique ability to efficiently translate preclinical data to clinical data, yielding critical insights capable of accelerating decisions, discoveries and innovation. As a result, drug developers will have access to imaging, radiochemistry, and informatics solutions to position their teams to make faster, better informed decisions regarding a drug candidate's potential. 

"Today we are pleased to officially announce the name of the Translational Imaging Center," said MPI Research Chairman, President, and CEO William U. Parfet. "This Center underscores our commitment to help pioneer a new era of drug development. We have put together a facility and team capable of helping drug developers learn more about their compounds in a faster and more cost-effective way than ever before. We are helping 'de-risk' the testing process, accelerating decisions in a very powerful way."

MPI Research, inviCRO, and 3D Imaging's partnership on the development and operation of the Translational Imaging Center aims to address increasing demand from pharmaceutical and other Iife science companies for comprehensive imaging services in one location. The addition of the Translational Imaging Center would be contiguous with MPI Research's current physical plant facility, which is the largest single-site preclinical/early clinical contract research organization (CRO) in the world.

"We wanted the name to be reflective of what we truly feel to be the foundation of the Imaging Center," said Scott Haller, Director of the Translational Imaging Center. "Our multidisciplinary partnership and commitment to provision of data allowing for true translation to clinical development efforts beget the name ­Translational Imaging Center.  Our aim is to approach each project as a collaborative effort with our sponsors to help drive new therapeutics into the clinics as safely and as scientifically sound as contemporary paradigms, yet more rapidly and cost effectively."  

Sponsors will be able to enhance their decision-making process based on evaluating three primary criteria: exposure at the target site, binding to the pharmacological target, and expression of the intended pharmacology. When applied to early and mid-stage development, these imaging solutions answer key questions about drug candidates with just a handful of studies. For late-stage developers, molecular imaging in concert with other diagnostic processes in nonhuman primate models can define the best dosages for future clinical trials.

The Translational Imaging Center groundbreaking was held last September at the MPI Research global corporate headquarters and is set to open this spring. The cyclotron is slated for onsite arrival and assembly at the Translational Imaging Center in February, 2014.

About the Translational Imaging Center
The 10,000-square-foot, two-story Translational Imaging Center is a partnership between MPI Research, inviCRO, and 3D Imaging. The project will leverage the distinct and complementary strengths of each partner, including inviCRO's molecular imaging informatics team, 3D Imaging's radiopharmaceutical group, and the comprehensive CRO-based services of MPI Research.

About MPI Research
MPI Research, with global headquarters in Mattawan, Mich., provides safety evaluation, discovery, bioanalytical and analytical services to the biopharmaceutical, medical device, animal health, and chemical industries. The company offers comprehensive imaging solutions including preclinical imaging, radiochemistry, and data analysis. Scientific knowledge and experience, responsiveness, integrity, trust, teamwork, and dedication to strong and enduring Sponsor relationships are the defining attributes that characterize MPI Research as a high-performance, high-quality organization that is committed to bringing safer and more effective products to the world. Learn more about how MPI Research can exceed your expectations at www.mpiresearch.com.

About inviCRO
inviCRO was founded with a mission of improving the value of imaging in drug discovery and development. The company provides a full range of imaging services and software solutions including contract research services, custom data analysis and software programs for image data management and high-throughput image processing. Its experienced team of more than 30 research scientists possesses unique capabilities in imaging physics, advanced biostatistics, multi-dimensional image processing and software development, and an intimate understanding of imaging systems, agents and animal models. Managing and/or processing more than 15 imaging studies per month across a broad range of applications, inviCRO has processed more than 50,000 scans over the past three years. inviCRO's analysis and management software is used in over 100 imaging facilities worldwide and its use is growing. Find out more at www.invicro.com.

About 3D Imaging
3D Imaging was established to bring innovative radiochemistry to drug development research. With an onsite cyclotron embedded in a major medical school research and teaching hospital, 3D Imaging produces any desired radiopharmaceutical. For the past seven years, 3D Imaging has offered preclinical, translational, and clinical PET imaging. Beginning with C-11 and F-18 labeled radiopharmaceuticals, including custom-labeled and custom-formulated drugs and drug candidates, 3D Imaging currently offers 45 different radiotracers. With the addition of novel, solid targetry for in-house production of I-124, Zr-89 and Cu-64, products labeled with these nuclides, and custom labeling with commercially available SPECT nuclides, there is no limit to the potential to produce the right tracer for any purpose. Find out more at www.3dimagingllc.com.  

SOURCE MPI Research