Collaboration Expands Use of Imaging Agent, Imaging Analysis Software, and Apoptosis Imaging

(Petach Tikva, Israel), a developer of diagnostic and therapeutic drugs based on in vivo targeting of apoptosis, announced that it has signed a collaboration agreement with Roche (Basel, Switzerland).

Under the agreement, Roche will use Aposense's EarliTest solution, in Roche's oncology development program. EarliTest, comprising the ML-10 imaging agent for imaging apoptosis with positron emission tomography (PET) and dedicated image analysis software, is designed to image tumor response early during treatment and has the potential to accelerate drug development by providing feedback on the biologic effect of treatment very early on. Data to be generated from the collaboration will provide an opportunity for the parties to expand utility of EarliTest to innovative oncologic therapies.

"This collaboration with Roche, an industry leader in the field of oncology, demonstrates the interest within the pharmaceutical industry in using novel tools for early assessment of response to anticancer treatment in clinical trials,” said Yoram Ashery, CEO of Aposense. "The delayed availability of feedback on drug activity using traditional methods is a significant unmet need, not only for patients, but also in the development of novel therapies for combating cancer.”

Under the terms of the nonexclusive agreement, Roche will fund the clinical trials and pay Aposense certain license and milestone fees, in undisclosed amounts.

Aposense is focused on translating apoptosis (programmed cell death) to molecular-based diagnosis and therapy. Aposense agents leverage its platform technology of rationally-designed small molecules for targeting cells undergoing apoptosis. Aposense's molecular imaging business features clinical and preclinical solutions for in vivo imaging of apoptosis, including ML-10, for apoptosis imaging with PET, which is in multicenter phase 2 trials, and the EarliTest image analysis system.

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