PRESS RELEASE

Life Molecular Imaging Secures Funding from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) to Further Investigate [18F]F-DED PET in Alzheimer’s Neuroinflammation

Joining forces to accelerate development and to create a potential new option for Neuroinflammation Imaging

Berlin/Boston, May, 14, 2025 – Life Molecular Imaging has received an investment from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) to advance significant research in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The $2.16 million investment, spanning three years, will fuel the development of [18F]F‑DED, an investigational F18-labeled PET imaging agent designed to target monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), a key enzyme linked to neuroinflammation.

This ambitious research initiative is a collaborative effort with two world-class institutions, including the University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilian University (LMU; Munich, Germany) and the Barcelona Beta Brain Research Center (BBRC, Spain), with experts in neurology, nuclear medicine, psychiatry, and stroke and dementia research.

It is anticipated that using [18F]F-DED PET imaging during this project has the potential to provide critical insights into both sporadic and genetically predisposed AD patients, bridging the gap on the contribution of neuroinflammation between early and late stages of the disease.

Until now, PET imaging of neuroinflammation has faced challenges due to genetic polymorphisms affecting ligand binding, leading to inconsistent results.

“This new research, supported by the prestigious ADDF funding, provides a unique opportunity to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of neuroinflammation and its association with established biomarkers,” said Andrew Stephens, Chief Medical Officer at LMI.

“Neuroinflammation could be a potential key driver in the spread of tau pathology to the cortex in Alzheimer’s disease. Leveraging PET imaging to explore its role presents a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of disease progression”, added Matthias Brendel, Professor for Nuclear Medicine at LMU.

Gemma Salvadó Blasco, Group Leader of Neuroimaging Research BBRC, echoed this enthusiasm: “By combining data from diverse Alzheimer’s disease cohorts, we aim to unravel the complexities of disease progression. We’re thrilled to embark on this exciting journey.”

“PET-Imaging tools provide important insights into understanding Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders and are integrated now into clinical care,” says Howard Fillit, MD, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of the ADDF. “New imaging tools exploring neuroinflammation may offer a non-invasive approach to visualize astrocyte activity alongside established biomarkers to further examine the relationship between inflammation and Alzheimer’s. If successful, this innovative approach will help deepen our understanding of the underlying disease.”  

About
Neuroinflammation represents a key pathologic mechanism in many neurodegenerative diseases, including AD, movement disorders and multiple sclerosis. In the brain it can be mediated by reactive astrocytes (astrogliosis), which show increased activity of the enzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). The PET tracer [18F]F-DED  is a deuterated deprenyl derivative that was designed to preferentially bind to areas with increased MAO-B activity (1,2).

About Life Molecular Imaging (LMI)
Life Molecular Imaging (LMI) is an international radiopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and offering novel cutting-edge PET radiopharmaceuticals for imaging of neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. The organization strives to be a leader in the molecular imaging field.  Our mission is to pioneer innovative PET products that improve early detection and characterization of chronic and life-threatening diseases, leading to better therapeutic outcomes and improved quality of life. By advancing novel PET radiopharmaceuticals for molecular imaging, LMI is focusing on a key field of modern medicine. LMI is an affiliate of Life Healthcare Group – an international people-centered, diversified healthcare organization with four decades of experience in the South African private healthcare sector. To learn more, please visit https://life-mi.com.

About Life Healthcare Group
Life Healthcare is a global people-centered, diversified healthcare organization listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Life Healthcare has over 40 years’ experience in the South African private healthcare sector, and currently operates 64 healthcare facilities in southern Africa. Services include acute hospital care, acute physical rehabilitation, acute mental healthcare, renal dialysis, oncology, diagnostic and molecular imaging and health risk management services which include occupational health and wellness services. The Group also owns Life Molecular Imaging, a radiopharmaceutical business dedicated to developing and globally commercializing innovative molecular imaging agents for use in PET-CT diagnostics to detect specific diseases. Visit: https://www.lifehealthcare.co.za/.

About The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)
Founded in 1998 by Leonard A. and Ronald S. Lauder, the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation is dedicated to rapidly accelerating the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer’s disease. The ADDF is the only public charity solely focused on funding the development of drugs for Alzheimer’s, employing a venture philanthropy model to support research in academia and the biotech industry. The ADDF’s leadership and contributions to the field have played a pivotal role in bringing the first Alzheimer’s PET scan (Amyvid®) and blood test (PrecivityAD®) to market, as well as fueling the current robust and diverse drug pipeline. Through the generosity of its donors, the ADDF has awarded more than $370 million to fund 765 Alzheimer’s drug discovery programs, biomarker programs and clinical trials in 21 countries. To learn more, please visit: http://www.alzdiscovery.org/. 

References

  1. Nag S, Fazio P, Lehmann L, et al. In Vivo and In Vitro Characterization of a Novel MAO-B Inhibitor Radioligand, 18F-Labeled Deuterated Fluorodeprenyl. J Nucl Med. 2016;57(2):315-320. doi:10.2967/jnumed.115.161083
  2. Ballweg A, Klaus C, Vogler L, et al. [18F]F-DED PET imaging of reactive astrogliosis in neurodegenerative diseases: preclinical proof of concept and first-in-human data. J Neuroinflammation. 2023;20(1):68. Published 2023 Mar 11. doi:10.1186/s12974-023-02749-2

For media queries
Brittany Hahn | Marketing Communications Manager | Life Molecular Imaging

Tel: +1.484.735.2840 | b.hahn@life-mi.com

For scientific information, please contact: Dr. Gérard N Bischof, PD | Scientific Project Manager | Life Molecular Imaging| g.bischof@life-mi.com

Neuraceq® - Product Indications And Use

PRODUCT INDICATIONS AND USE: Neuraceq is indicated for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging of the brain to estimate β-amyloid neuritic plaque density in adult patients with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other causes of cognitive decline. A negative Neuraceq scan indicates sparse to no neuritic plaques and is inconsistent with a neuropathological diagnosis of AD at the time of image acquisition; a negative scan result reduces the likelihood that a patient’s cognitive impairment is due to AD. A positive Neuraceq scan indicates moderate to frequent amyloid neuritic plaques; neuropathological examination has shown this amount of amyloid neuritic plaque is present in patients with AD, but may also be present in patients with other types of neurologic conditions as well as older people with normal cognition. Neuraceq is an adjunct to other diagnostic evaluations.

Limitations: Limitations of Use
A positive Neuraceq scan does not establish the diagnosis of AD or any other cognitive disorder. The safety and effectiveness of Neuraceq have not been established for Predicting the development of dementia or other neurologic conditions or monitoring responses to therapies.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
CONTRAINDICATIONS: None

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Risk for Image Misinterpretation and other Errors
    Errors may occur in the Neuraceq estimation of brain neuritic β-amyloid plaque density during image interpretation [see Clinical Studies (14)]. Image interpretation should be performed independently of the patient’s clinical information. The use of clinical information in the interpretation of Neuraceq images has not been evaluated and may lead to errors. Errors may also occur in cases with severe brain atrophy that limits the ability to distinguish gray and white matter on the Neuraceq scan. Errors may also occur due to motion artifacts that result in image distortion. Neuraceq scan results are indicative of the presence of brain neuritic β-amyloid plaques only at the time of image acquisition and a negative scan result does not preclude the development of brain neuritic β-amyloid plaques in the future.
  • Radiation Risk
    Neuraceq, similar to other radiopharmaceuticals, contributes to a patient's overall long-term cumulative radiation exposure. Long-term cumulative radiation exposure is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Ensure safe handling to protect patients and health care workers from unintentional radiation exposure [see Dosage and Administration.

ADVERSE REACTIONS:

  • The most commonly reported adverse reactions in clinical trials were injection site pain (3.4%), injection/appliucation site erythema (1.7%), injection site irritation (1.1%).

DRUG INTERACTIONS

  • Drug-drug interaction studies have not been performed in patients to establish the extent, if any, to which concomitant medications may alter Neuraceq image results.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

  • Pregnancy: All radiopharmaceuticals, including Neuraceq, have a potential to cause fetal harm depending on the stage of fetal development and the magnitude of the radiopharmaceutical dose. If considering Neuraceq administration to a pregnant woman, inform the patient about the potential for adverse pregnancy outcomes based on the radiation dose from the drug and the gestational timing of exposure.
  • Lactation: There are no data on the presence of florbetaben F 18 injection in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects of florbetaben F 18 injection on milk production. Exposure of Neuraceq to a breastfed infant can be minimized by temporary discontinuation of breastfeeding. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for Neuraceq and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Neuraceq or from the underlying maternal condition.
  • Pediatric Use: Neuraceq is not indicated for use in pediatric patients.
  • Geriatric Use: No overall differences in safety were observed between older and younger subjects

OVERDOSAGE
A pharmacological overdose of Neuraceq is unlikely given the relatively low doses used for diagnostic purposes. In the event of administration of a radiation overdose with Neuraceq, the absorbed organ dose to the patient should be reduced by increasing elimination of the radionuclide from the body by inducing frequent micturition. Prior to Neuraceq administration, please read the full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information.

SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS please report to: https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program

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