Piramal to present data on several molecular imaging compounds at SNM annual meeting

Piramal Imaging SA, a subsidiary of Piramal Healthcare Limited [NSE: PIRHEALTH, BSE: 500302], will present data on several compounds from its molecular imaging portfolio at the Society of Nuclear Medicine's 59th annual meeting in Miami Beach, Fla., from June 9 - 13. Data from five florbetaben studies will be featured, including results from a pivotal Phase III trial which will provide the basis for regulatory submission later this year.

Earlier this spring, Piramal Imaging was formed through the acquisition of worldwide rights to the molecular imaging research and development portfolio of Bayer Pharma AG. Florbetaben, a late-stage amyloid imaging agent being studied as a potential tool to aid in the diagnosis and assessment of Alzheimer's disease, is the lead compound in the portfolio.

Historically, the only way to definitively diagnose Alzheimer's disease has been after death - at autopsy - through analysis and identification of beta-amyloid in brain tissue. The global Phase III trial employed a unique and rigorous study design comparing in vivo brain positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with florbetaben to post-mortem analysis of the brain tissue. Another study compared florbetaben scans of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) over time to assess their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

"What better way to introduce Piramal Imaging to the nuclear medicine community," says Dr. Ludger M. Dinkelborg, CEO Piramal Imaging. "We believe we have the richest molecular imaging portfolio in the industry today, and the range of research we are presenting here reflects the depth, diversity and clinical relevance of our pipeline." Before co-founding Piramal Imaging, Dr. Dinkelborg served as Head of Diagnostic Imaging Research and Head of Molecular Imaging at Bayer Healthcare.

Piramal Imaging is developing an innovative and proprietary tracer portfolio to address major clinical needs in Alzheimer's disease, prostate cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

"Our goal is to be a leader in molecular imaging through increased diagnostic accuracy of serious medical conditions to improve patient care," says Dr. Swati A. Piramal, Director, Piramal Healthcare Limited. "On a parallel track with our aggressive clinical development program, we are taking the necessary steps toward bringing our tracers to market through the formation of strategic partnerships." Dr. Piramal was recently elected to the Harvard Board of Overseers and also serves on the Dean's Advisory Board of both the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Business School.