Enigma Biomedical Group Signs Research Agreement with Biogen and Merck for Novel Tau Imaging Agent

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)
We today announced a research collaboration agreement with Biogen Inc. and Merck, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, for the validation and clinical qualification of an investigational imaging agent to be used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans for assessing the status and progression of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. NFTs made up of aggregated tau protein are a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.The collaboration is focused on the qualification and validation of the Tau imaging agent developed by Merck, MK-6240.“At Enigma we are focused on enhancing access to key technologies that we believe have the potential to advance human health,” said Rick Hiatt, chief executive officer, EBG. “We are excited by the opportunity to work with Biogen and Merck with the goal of expanding the availability of this novel investigational imaging agent to the broader scientific community.”

“There is a critical need for sensitive biomarkers for early in-life diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases to allow for more appropriate staging of disease states, and measuring the effect of disease-modifying therapeutics,” said Darryle Schoepp, vice president discovery, Merck Research Laboratories. “Agreements such as this represent an important platform to realize the full potential of our novel investigational tau imaging agent.”

“We hope that by advancing the scientific understanding of these kinds of tools we are able to accelerate the discovery of new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases,” said Richard Hargreaves, vice president of Global Biomarker Discovery & Development at Biogen.

In early studies published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck scientists reported that [18F]MK-6240 has a high specificity and selectivity for neurofibrillary tangles with favorable physicochemical properties and in vivo pharmacokinetics that warranted clinical investigation as a potential PET neuroimaging agent. Merck is currently conducting an open-label Phase 1 study to investigate the safety and efficacy of [18F]MK-6240 as a PET imaging agent for quantifying brain burden of neurofibrillary tangle pathology. For further information about the trial please go to clinical trials.gov (NCT02562989).

Enigma Biomedical Group Signs Research Agreement with McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)
We today announced execution of a Memorandum of Understanding to license Yale’s Synaptic Density Imaging (SDI) biomarker technology platform. With this license, EBG will be responsible for the global development and commercialization of Yale’s early stage investigational imaging agents using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to assess neurodegeneration. SDI promises to provide an important new tool in understanding neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Enigma Biomedical Group Signs Research Agreement with Austin Health

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)
We today announced a clinical research agreement with Austin Health in Melbourne, Australia to support multiple projects over the next several years. These research projects are for studies of an early stage imaging agent (MK-6240) to be used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans for assessing the status and progression of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. NFTs made up of aggregated tau protein are a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Enigma Biomedical Group Forms Australian Subsidiary To Further Research Efforts

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)
We today announced the formation of Enigma Biomedical Australia to support it’s ongoing research projects in Australia. The current research projects are for studies of an early stage imaging agent (MK-6240) to be used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans for assessing the status and progression of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. NFTs made up of aggregated tau protein are a hallmark of several

Enigma Biomedical Group and Yale Sign Memorandum of Understanding to License Novel Investigational Synaptic Density Imaging Biomarker Technology

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)
We today announced execution of a Memorandum of Understanding to license Yale’s Synaptic Density Imaging (SDI) biomarker technology platform. With this license, EBG will be responsible for the global development and commercialization of Yale’s early stage investigational imaging agents using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to assess neurodegeneration. SDI promises to provide an important new tool in understanding neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other dementias.