INDUSTRY NEWS

Molecular Targeting Technologies licenses cell death imaging technology


Pennsylvania-based biotechnology company Molecular Targeting Technologies has obtained a license from the University of Notre Dame  for a novel sensing technology developed by Bradley Smith, PhD, Emil T. Hofman professor of chemistry and biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, that images cell death.

“This unique probe has the potential to image cell death as a means to intervene early in diseases and rapidly determine the effectiveness of treatments,” Smith said. “Imaging of cell death is broadly useful for treatment of numerous conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, neurology, renal diseases and even transplant rejection.”

When the targeting component is attached to a fluorescent probe, it has been successfully used to target mammary and prostate tumors and bacterial infection in mice, according to the University of Notre Dame.

“We believe this technology has the potential to target myocardial ischemia, Alzheimers disease, cancer and bacterial infections,” said Molecular Targeting Technologies president and CEO Chris Pak, PhD.

Initially, Molecular Targeting Technologies said it will launch a range of fluorescent versions of the phosphatidylserine (PS) targeting molecule for research applications. Products will be sold under the name PSVue, and should be available in early March.
Last updated on March 3, 2010 at 11:31 am EST