Toronto based Enigma Biomedical Group (EBG) partners with academic institutions and universities to foster and broaden access to novel research.
The McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging has signed a clinical research agreement with Toronto-based Enigma Biomedical Group focused on studies of an early-stage imaging agent (MK-6240) to be used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans for assessing neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. NFTs made up of aggregated tau protein are a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.As part of the agreement, Enigma will provide funding for various research projects, and through its U.S. entity Cerveau Technologies will supply the MK-6240 precursor needed for the initiatives.
Centre Directors Dr. Pedro Rosa-Neto commented, “These research projects will provide valuable insight into the status and progression of NFTs in healthy subjects, subjects with mild cognitive impairment and confirmed Alzheimer’s disease. We appreciate the support of Enigma Biomedical Group and value our ongoing relationship.”
Dr. Serge Gauthier, director of the centre’s AD & Related Disorders Research Unit, added: “The ability to visualize and quantify tau in the brain will facilitate therapeutic research in the field of Alzheimer’s disease.”
Rick Hiatt, president of Cerveau and CEO of Enigma, said “we are excited by the opportunity to work with McGill and the pharmaceutical industry in providing access to this novel imaging agent to the broader scientific community.”