PhotoBiotics’ approach to Targeted Magnetic Resonance Imaging receives award from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
London, September 2010:
PhotoBiotics Ltd, one of Britain’s leading innovative targeted therapeutics companies, is collaborating with Imperial College London, which was recently awarded £100,000 from the NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme for a pilot project involving PhotoBiotics’ novel approach to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This uses the company’s OptiLink proprietary coupling technology, a unique conjugation platform that enables multiple attachment of drugs to antibody fragments (or sc-Fvs). Counter-intuitively, OptiLink allows much larger drug loadings on sc-Fvs than is achieved with whole monoclonal antibodies.
MRI is a powerful and relatively harmless technique (as opposed to x-ray and CT scanning which use ionizing radiation) for visualizing the body’s detailed internal structures, using magnetic fields and radio-frequency radiation. Current MRI agents use chelated paramagnetic ions such as gadolinium to enhance image contrast between healthy and diseased or damaged tissues. However, these contrast agents have low body retention times and lack sensitivity and selectivity. In addition, they can cause allergic reactions and even nephrotoxicity in susceptible individuals.
Building on the success of PhotoBiotics/Imperial’s earlier collaboration (conjugating photosensitising molecules to an sc-Fv, then specifically targeting and destroying prostate tumours on illumination with visible laser light)1,2, the team will load multiple paramagnetic ion-containing molecules onto a tumour-seeking sc-Fv using PhotoBiotics’ OptiLink technology.
Initial tests are highly encouraging and so far have demonstrated that even with the less magnetically susceptible metal ion manganese (III), the multiply-loaded sc-Fv has a contrast signal comparable with a standard MRI contrast agent containing Gd (III).
"The NIHR i4i grant will allow us to demonstrate how tumour-seeking sc-Fvs deliver many more highly potent MRI-active molecules safely, accurately and consistently to cancer sites, and selectively image them”, says Dr Gokhan Yahioglu, PhotoBiotics’ Director of Chemistry. Dr Mahendra Deonarain, lead applicant and Imperial College Reader in antibody technology and therapeutics agrees. “Improving performance and targeting of MRI contrast agents should increase tumour MRI sensitivity and minimise the possibility of adverse reactions.”
Dr Deonarain continues, “Ultimately, PhotoBiotics’ OptiLink platform will enable multiple loading of sc-Fv targeting moieties with both photosensitising and MRI contrast agents. This will provide a pipeline of novel targeted 'see and treat' agents to improve efficacy and tolerability of cancer treatment, significantly shorten tumour treatment times, and improve patients’ quality of life.”
Notes for Editors:
1. ‘Targeted photodynamic therapy with multiply loaded recombinant antibody fragments.’ International Journal of Cancer 2008; 122: 1155-1163.
2. 'Fluorescence characterisation of multiply-loaded anti-HER2 single-chain Fv-photosensitiser conjugates suitable for photodynamic therapy'. Photochemical and Photobiological. Sciences. 2007; 6: 933-939.
About PhotoBiotics
PhotoBiotics Ltd was spun out from Imperial College London because of a recognised need to improve on the current light-activated cancer treatment, known as photodynamic therapy or PDT. PhotoBiotics brought together the disciplines of chemistry, photophysics and biochemistry to find a way to target the PDT to the tumour, thus enhancing the efficacy of cancer treatment and also reducing systemic ambient light sensitivity post-treatment (i.e. painful sunburn-like symptoms). PhotoBiotics' R&D team has succeeded in its primary objective of developing a technology platform to address the needs of PDT, and is now exemplifying how this platform, denoted OptiLink, has utility across a wide range of other applications, in particular, MRI contrast agents and imaging and others. OptiLink is a unique and simple conjugation platform which enables multiple attachment of drugs to antibody fragments. Counter-intuitively, OptiLink allows far higher drug loadings on sc-Fvs than has ever been achieved with whole monoclonal antibodies.
About Imperial College London
Consistently rated amongst the world's best universities, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 14,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.
Since its foundation in 1907, Imperial's contributions to society have included the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the application of research for the benefit of all continues today, with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to improve global health, tackle climate change, develop sustainable sources of energy and address security challenges.
In 2007, Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust formed the UK’s first Academic Health Science Centre. This unique partnership aims to improve the quality of life of patients and populations by taking new discoveries and translating them into new therapies as quickly as possible.
About the National Institute for Health Research
The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility. The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training. Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading-edge research focused on the needs of patients.
For more information please contact:
Dr Lionel R Milgrom, PhotoBiotics Ltd Press Office,
Tel: +44 (0)208 450 8760
Mob: +44 (0)7970 852156
Email: media@photobiotics.com
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