Imaging Analysis for Drug Discovery & Development

Pharmacokinetic Imaging Services

CD BioSciences uses technologies such as MRI, PET and CT scanning to visualize and quantify drug concentrations in real time, providing a deeper understanding of how drugs behave in different tissues and organs.

Roles of Imaging Technology in Preclinical Pharmacokinetic Research

Imaging technology has facilitated the study of drug pharmacokinetics (PK) by providing detailed, non-invasive insights into the dynamic processes of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion within the body. For example, techniques like PET and SPECT can track radiolabeled drugs, providing real-time data on their biodistribution and pharmacokinetics. MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can be used to study drug metabolism and the resulting changes in tissue metabolites. By offering spatiotemporal information on drug behavior, imaging technologies enable researchers to optimize drug formulations, dosing regimens, and delivery strategies.

PET imaging of 6-O-[18F]FEE in nude mice bearing A431 and HCC827 tumors Figure 1. Pharmacokinetic analysis of 6-O-[18F]FEE in nude mice bearing A431 (A) and HCC827 (H) tumors

What Can We Do for Pharmacokinetic Imaging?

Our comprehensive pharmacokinetic imaging services provide detailed, non-invasive visualization and quantification of drug behavior in vivo, covering all key absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) parameters.

Item	Service Detail
Drug Absorption Imaging	Positron Emission Tomography (PET): Provides quantitative data on drug concentration in various tissues over time, allowing for precise measurement of absorption kinetics. Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT): Similar to PET, but with potentially lower resolution and sensitivity, offering a cost-effective alternative for some applications. Optical Imaging: Utilizing fluorescent or bioluminescent probes to track drug movement in real-time, particularly useful for visualizing absorption from topical or localized administration sites. Bioluminescence Imaging (BLI): Detecting bioluminescent reporters, allowing for the tracking of drug absorption in animals.
Drug Distribution Imaging	PET/SPECT: Providing quantitative data on drug concentrations in various tissues and organs. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Offering high-resolution anatomical images and can be combined with other techniques for multi-modal imaging. Computed Tomography (CT): Providing high-resolution anatomical information, often used in conjunction with other modalities in anatomical context. Optical Imaging: Allowing for real-time visualization of drug distribution, particularly useful for superficial tissues. Autoradiography: Providing high-resolution images of drug distribution in ex vivo tissue sections.
Drug Metabolism & Excretion Imaging	PET/SPECT: Tracking the elimination of the drug and its metabolites from the body, determining the primary routes of excretion and the rate of clearance. Mass Spectrometry (MS): Identifying and quantifying metabolites in biological samples and monitoring drug excretion via urine, feces, or other routes.

Advantages of Our Pharmacokinetic (PK) Imaging Services

Real-time and dynamic data: Utilizing advanced imaging techniques such as PET/SPEC, we provide real-time and dynamic data on drug distribution, metabolism, and excretion, offering a more comprehensive understanding of drug behavior.
Quantitative data: Our advanced imaging techniques provide quantitative data on drug concentration in various tissues and organs, allowing for precise calculation of key PK parameters such as AUC (area under the curve), Vd (volume of distribution), and Cl (clearance).
Improved drug development: The detailed information provided by our PK imaging can significantly improve the drug development process by enabling better selection of drug candidates, optimization of dosing regimens, and identification of potential toxicity issues.

At CD BioSciences, our experts will collaborate with you to design a customized PK imaging study, selecting the most appropriate imaging modality and analytical techniques to address your specific research needs and objectives. We provide comprehensive data analysis and reporting to support your research goals. If you have any needs related to PK imaging, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

Shi D, et al. Pharmacokinetic analysis of 6-O-[18F] FEE for PET imaging of EGFR mutation. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2023, 85: 129217.

*If your organization requires the signing of a confidentiality agreement, please contact us by email.

Please note: Our services can only be used for research purposes. Do not use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures!

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