MIME-Version: 1.0 Server: WebSTAR/2.1 ID/32304 Message-ID: Date: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 22:41:59 GMT Last-Modified: Tue, 01 Jul 1997 00:20:28 GMT Content-type: text/html Content-length: 3877 R&D


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EPIX Research and Development Programs

Thrombosis Imaging. EPIX is developing new agents designed specifically for imaging blood clots in seeking to develop a targeted contrast agent and protocol that would enable MRI to illuminate blood clots against a dark background. EPIX believes that its proprietary technology platform could also enable MRI to differentiate old and new clot formations and that such a product would change the diagnostic pathway for many of the conditions associated with thrombotic disease, including pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. EPIX believes that a thrombosis-specific contrast agent could largely replace the noninvasive modalities currently in use, including nuclear medicine ventilation/perfusion scans.

Functional Brain Imaging. Functional brain imaging involves measuring small changes in the brain to, in effect, "watch" the brain function in real time. In the past, these cognitive function mapping studies were done using modalities such as electro-encephalograms and nuclear medicine, both of which are generally recognized to have low resolution and provide limited clinical information. Recently however, investigators at a number of institutions, including MGH, have developed a new brain imaging technique using MRI. At present, studies are being conducted using a specialized MRI technique which does not employ a contrast agent. However, these studies are currently difficult to interpret since blood flow changes induced by cognitive activity are subtle and associated signals are weak. Clinical applications of functional brain imaging are potentially broad, including pre-surgical planning, neurodegenerative disease diagnosis and psychiatry.

EPIX is currently conducting preclinical testing of prototype brain imaging agents with researchers at MGH based on the Company's proprietary technology platform. The Company is seeking to establish the feasibility of developing an agent that would be able to magnify the signal from small volume changes in blood flow to particular areas of the brain.

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