Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine (also called molecular imaging) includes positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Nuclear imaging is achieved by injecting small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) into patients before or during their scan. These can use sugars or chemical traits to bond to specific cells. The radioactive material is taken up by cells that consume the sugars. The radiation emitted from inside the body is detected by photon detectors outside the body. Computers take the data to assemble images of the radiation emissions. Nuclear images may appear fuzzy or ghostly rather than the sharper resolution from MRI and CT.  But, it provides metabolic information at a cellular level, showing if there are defects in the function of the heart, areas of very high metabolic activity associated with cancer cells, or areas of inflammation, data not available from other modalities. These noninvasive imaging exams are used to diagnose cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, bone disorders and other disorders. 

Bristol Myers Squibb

Bristol Myers Squibb will pay $350M-plus to add prostate cancer imaging agent

Subsidiary RayzeBio has inked a definitive deal to license the worldwide rights for the drug from Philochem, a Swiss biotechnology firm. 

Imagers reviewing flurpiridaz F-18 (Flyrcado) myocardial perfusion PET images. Image from GE Healthcare

FDA-cleared software increases throughput for flurpiridaz back-to-back rest-stress imaging

The new F-18 flurpiridaz radiotracer is expected to help drive cardiac PET growth, but it requires waiting between rest and stress scans. Software from MultiFunctional Imaging can help care teams combat that problem.

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Radiopharma firm Telix launches new prostate cancer imaging agent Gozellix in US

The PET (positron emission tomography) product is now commercially available through distributors including Cardinal Health, PharmaLogic, Jubilant Radiopharma, and RLS. 

artificial intelligence AI money brain dollar

Startup developing ultracompact PET imaging scanner raises $8.5M

Founded in 2018, Positrigo scored U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance last year for its NeuroLF brain PET system, which is targeted toward Alzheimer's. 

blood test research laboratory

FDA clears 1st blood test for Alzheimer’s, reducing need for ‘costly’ PET imaging

The “Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio” test is indicated for the early detection of amyloid plaques, a hallmark sign of the neurodegenerative disease. 

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Pharmaceutical company to launch imaging center chain focused on Alzheimer’s disease

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. plans to deploy the compact PET imaging system from Swiss firm Positrigo, cleared by the U.S. FDA last year. 

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Physicians urge Trump administration to exempt radiopharmaceuticals from tariffs

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology wants the feds to protect these vital imaging products from tariffs, highlighting barriers to U.S. production. 

Tariffs will have a significant impact on the nuclear imaging supply chain in the US

"Domestic radiopharmaceutical suppliers, who receive isotopes from abroad, would be impacted by price changes and uncertainty caused by additional tariffs,” SNMMI President Cathy Cutler, PhD, wrote in a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce this week.

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The new F-18 flurpiridaz radiotracer is expected to help drive cardiac PET growth, but it requires waiting between rest and stress scans. Software from MultiFunctional Imaging can help care teams combat that problem.

News of an incident is a stark reminder that healthcare workers and patients aren’t the only ones who need to be aware around MRI suites.

The ACR hopes these changes, including the addition of diagnostic performance feedback, will help reduce the number of patients with incidental nodules lost to follow-up each year.