New Generation of Automated Radiochemistry Developed for PET Imaging Probe Production

A new automated radiochemistry platform has been developed for the production of a diversity of positron emission tomography (PET) probes.

This innovative approach to radiosynthesis features a multireactor system that provides disposable cassettes for simplicity of operation, high-temperature and high-pressure capabilities, on-demand reagent delivery, radiation sensors, and reactor vial cameras to monitor synthesis processes, between-reactor purification, an automated high perfusion liquid chromatography (HPLC) injection valve, and intuitive, unit operation-based software for use on tablets and smartphones, such as the iPad and iPhone (developed by Apple, Inc. Cupertino, CA, USA). With very little effort, the system enables the end user to rapidly transition between different syntheses by simply changing cassettes, reagents, and selecting software protocols.

Sofie Biosciences, Inc. (Culver City, CA, USA), a molecular imaging company offering a comprehensive range of products from preclinical imaging systems to new diagnostic imaging agents (probes), recently introduced Elixys, the newest addition to their product range. Debuting at the June 2012 Society for Nuclear Medicine annual meeting, Elixys’sautomated radiochemistry platform for the production of a diversity of PET probes includes [18F]FAC and analogs, Sofie’s proprietary class of imaging probes.

PET is a medical imaging modality that utilizes radiolabeled molecules to target and measure biologic and pharmacologic processes. Basic scientists can use the same probes to visualize and characterize the biology of disease, monitor its progression, and evaluate therapeutic efficacy in cells and mice as clinicians do in patients. Over 1,600 PET probes have been developed, but only a few are routinely used. This is largely due to the complexity of synthesis, which suppresses the probe discovery and development processes in research and clinical trials. The solution to this problem requires technology innovation in radiosynthesizers, as well as breakthroughs in synthesis methods to provide rapid, site-directed labeling with high yields on a single platform capable of synthesizing a diversity of PET probes. This is also a requirement for the transition from R&D to a standardized protocol for routine production in commercial PET radiopharmacies.

“Fundamentally, Elixys is a different way to approach radiochemistry,” said Patrick Phelps, Sofie’s president and CEO. “Elixys was born out of our own need to develop and synthesize diverse classes of probes. Sofie, with our collaborators at UCLA [University of California, Los Angeles] and Caltech [California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, USA], are excited to share this novel technology platform with a large community of scientists and clinicians interested in expanding the diversity of PET probes to answer a vast array of biological questions.”

Sofie is combining the discovery and development of new PET imaging probes with the development of novel imaging systems to provide researchers and physicians with tools to better investigate the biology of disease.

Related Links:
Sofie Biosciences