BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cerveau Technologies Inc. today announced that the Memory Aging and Cognition Centre (MACC) at the National University Health System (NUHS) in Singapore has initiated a study with an early stage imaging agent [18F]MK-6240 to be used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans for assessing the level 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, the Clinical Imaging Research Centre (CIRC) at the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) will collaborate with Cerveau to manufacture and supply the [18F]MK-6240 needed for initiatives in Singapore.
“NFTs are an important biomarker for cognitive impairment and a target for interventions. NUHS already has access to in vivo amyloid imaging for clinical research and hence the availability of tau imaging would be a major advance, as it will provide deeper insights into mechanisms and possible treatments for dementia.” said Dr. Christopher Chen, who is the Director of the Memory Aging and Cognition Centre (MACC), as well as a Senior Consultant at the National University Hospital (NUH).
“Cerveau welcomes this opportunity to work with Dr Chen and his team at NUHS to understand the application of MK-6240 and how it may benefit patients with brain diseases. With a rapidly aging population, Alzheimer’s disease is a challenge in many Pacific rim countries, including Singapore. This is the first study with MK-6240 in Asia. Our technical collaboration with CIRC will support multiple projects in Singapore over the next several years; besides MK-6240, the CIRC will produce other PET tracers for Cerveau, such as NAV-4694 for the detection of amyloid, and other imaging biomarkers in development.
Academic collaborations with NUHS and other sites in Singapore will enable Cerveau to provide access to our pharmaceutical partners in support of various therapy trials, as well as facilitate novel research in Singapore in the pursuit of evaluating potential preventive treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease.” said Rick Hiatt, President and CEO of Cerveau Technologies, Inc.
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.
Cerveau’s global production network includes sites in Europe, Canada, Japan, China, Singapore, Australia and the United States.
About the Memory Aging and Cognition Centre
The Memory Aging and Cognition Centre (MACC) at the National University Health System (NUHS) plays a vital role in translational clinical dementia research as a result of strong interactions between clinical and basic science departments at NUH and the National University of Singapore (NUS), which may lead to interventions that can prolong independent community function, delay institutionalisation and therefore lower healthcare expenditure. The MACC has clinical and epidemiological studies which will provide novel insights into the risk factors and biomarkers for dementia as well as patients for biomarker and interventional studies of cognitive decline and dementia. These clinical cohorts will be recruited into Neuroimaging (PET, MRI and retinal imaging) studies which may in turn help identify high risk groups for intervention as well as mechanisms to be targeted for further investigations. (http://www.nuhs.edu.sg/research/programmatic-research/major-research-programs/vascular-and-neurodegenerative-mechanisms-in-dementia.html)
About CIRC
Based at the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, the Clinical Imaging Research Centre (CIRC) jointly established by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the National University of Singapore (NUS), is a dedicated state-of-the-art facility for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). It is the only facility in Singapore to be Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified for the manufacturer of radiopharmaceuticals dedicated to clinical research and development. https://www.circ.nus.edu.sg
The CIRC is a manufacturer of radioisotopes with access to imaging and data analysis. The centre also performs first-in-man studies and early-stage assessments for new molecules which aim to translate and improve Singapore healthcare.
About the National University Health System (NUHS)
The National University Health System (NUHS) aims to transform how illness is prevented and managed by discovering causes of disease, development of more effective treatments through collaborative multidisciplinary research and clinical trials, and creation of better technologies and care delivery systems in partnership with others who share the same values and vision.
Institutions in the NUHS Group includes the National University Hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Jurong Community Hospital and Alexandra Hospital; three National Specialty Centres - National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) and National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore (NUCOHS); the National University Polyclinics (NUP); Jurong Medical Centre; and three NUS health sciences schools – NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (including the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies), NUS Faculty of Dentistry and NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.
With member institutions under a common governance structure, NUHS creates synergies for the advancement of health by integrating patient care, health science education and biomedical research.
As a Regional Health System, NUHS works closely with health and social care partners across Singapore to develop and implement programmes that contribute to a healthy and engaged population in the Western part of Singapore.
For more information, please visit www.nuhs.edu.sg
