IBA and Bayer sign clinical trial supply agreement
For molecular imaging compound Florbetaben
IBA (Ion Beam Applications) has signed a deal with Bayer Schering Pharma, Germany for the supply of chemical process development and clinical trial doses of Florbetaben, a molecular imaging compound in development for the detection of Alzheimer’s disease.
Under the terms of the agreement, Belgian firm IBA will develop a large-scale manufacturing process on Synthera, its proprietary, multi-purpose automated synthesiser, and upgrade its positron emission tomography (PET) manufacturing network to ensure availability of the compound for the clinical trials.
IBA says it will receive ‘several million Euros’ of milestone payments and fees depending on the amount of required doses for the clinical trials.
Florbetaben is a PET tracer in-licensed by Bayer, undergoing clinical development for potential use in diagnostic imaging of beta-amyloid deposits in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. There is as yet no cure for the disease, but early and accurate detection using molecular imaging techniques could help enhance patient care throughout the progression of the disease and potentially aid scientists in researching pharmaceutical treatment candidates.
‘IBA is dedicated to working with leading pharmaceutical partners such as Bayer to develop innovative products in therapeutic areas that are not currently addressed by industry solutions, including molecular imaging tracers for use in neurology,’ said Pierre Mottet, ceo of IBA Group.
‘This collaboration confirms IBA’s capacity and unique position in terms of developing large-scale manufacturing, distribution and support solutions for radiopharmaceuticals.’
