Nihon Medi-Physics is promoting its contract business involving animal PET imaging tests in cooperation with Sumika Chemical Analysis Service Ltd. (SCAS). Since its founding Nihon Medi-Physics has developed synthesis and imaging techniques through its research and development of radiopharmaceuticals. Leveraging these techniques the company handles radioisotopes (RIs) such as 11C and 18F synthesizes PET tracers and conducts imaging experiments using animals. SCAS has long been engaged in the business of supporting the research and development projects of pharmaceutical manufacturers. The company possesses thorough knowledge of reliability standards through this extensive experience and ensures the reliability of tests that are outsourced by customers. These tests can be conducted under conditions that meet the reliability standards required for making a formal application for approval of pharmaceutical product manufacturing and marketing. The two companies will make concerted efforts to take full advantage of their technologies and know-how so that they can contribute to promoting the efficient development of pharmaceutical products.

What is molecular imaging?

Molecular imaging is a technology that captures images of the state of living biomolecules from outside the body for observation without causing damage to them. This technology has been introduced into a number of diagnostic imaging examinations including positron emission tomography (PET) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Recently molecular imaging has attracted attention in the development of pharmaceutical products because it can serve as a method to confirm whether a candidate chemical compound can exert an expected therapeutic effect or be taken up in the expected manner by organs or cells.

Among these examination techniques PET molecular imaging has already been used for the diagnostic imaging of cancer and brain function. Because PET molecular imaging enables the evaluation of changes in the metabolic function of candidate chemical compounds in disease-model animals it is strongly expected to serve as a biomarker for determining pathological condition or judging the effectiveness of individual treatments.

Positron emission tomography is abbreviated as PET. PET is a diagnostic imaging technique that detects positrons employing computer processing to visualize various pathological conditions or the behavior of biological substances in the body.

Characteristics of molecular imaging

  1. Enables visualization of the behaviour of molecules in the living body. Time-dependent molecular disposition can be detected quantitatively in living individual organisms.

    • 11C-SCH23390
      (D1 receptor tracer)
    • 18F-FDG

  2. Selection of the optimum tracer enables evaluation in line with biological function.
    • 18F-FDGReflecting glucose metabolism

    • 18F-NaFReflecting bone remodelling

Two advantages of our contract services

Simultaneous PET imaging of two animals

We provide a special service for our customers. Generally pictures from one animal are collected during a PET scan. However our advanced technology enables the simultaneous collection of pictures from two animals during a PET scan which reduces testing time and cost.

PET imaging of primates (marmosets etc.)

As part of our special services for our customers we employ the PET imaging technique to obtain computer processed images of primates including marmosets as well as rodents including mice and rats.

Services for our customers

Assessment of D2R receptor occupancy in a PET study with 11C-raclopride

  • Dose-dependent reduction in the accumulation of radiation in the region of interest (ROI) after administration at each dose
  • Receptor occupancy is calculated from %ID/mL in the ROI set at each site

Assessment of serotonin 2A receptor occupancy in a PET study with 18F-altanserin

  • Receptor occupancy is calculated from %ID/mL in the ROI set at each site

Contact information

For the above tests call the number below.
Sumika Chemical Analysis Service Ltd.:https://www.scas.co.jp/en/
Phone:06-6202-1801