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Halifax, NS – BIOTIC (Biomedical Translational Imaging Centre), the advanced imaging center at the IWK Health Centre, has been chosen as the first research facility to test a new preclinical PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scanner.

Cubresa, a medical imaging company that develops and markets nuclear imaging systems, has developed NuPET™, a preclinical PET scanner that enables simultaneous molecular & functional imaging within an existing MRI system.  Researchers can acquire simultaneous PET/MRI data, under identical physiological conditions, to better understand disease mechanisms, test novel treatments and accelerate drug development using preclinical models. As part of the collaboration, BIOTIC will work with Cubresa to maximize the performance of the PET insert for simultaneous PET/MRI by enhancing its software and hardware capabilities. The BIOTIC team will also utilize the PET insert to test and validate new diagnostic and therapeutic compounds.

“The BIOTIC team is keen to work with companies such as Cubresa,” said Denise Lalanne, Business Development Lead at BIOTIC. “Partnerships such as these are an investment in the region. They enable us to develop new technologies and attract and retain high-caliber jobs.”

The collaborative research agreement runs to December 31, 2017 and will utilize the multidisciplinary expertise in medical imaging based technology development and the full suite of imaging infrastructure at BIOTIC.  Previously, Cubresa and BIOTIC worked together to get Cubresa’s pre-clinical Single Photon Emission Tomography (SPECT) to market.

“We have worked with the BIOTIC team in Halifax for several years and are excited to expand our collaboration into our new PET system, NuPET™ in order to ensure our product is the best system on the market and exceeds all the requirements of our customers”, commented George Abe, CEO, Cubresa.

“BIOTIC has become a vital part of Nova Scotia’s life sciences ecosystem”, commented Dr. Patrick McGrath, Integrated Vice President Research and Innovation at the IWK and Nova Scotia Health Authority. “Companies are routinely capitalizing on BIOTIC’s location and equipment, in combination with the team’s depth of knowledge, range of expertise and passion for advancing science and technology. This is what truly sets BIOTIC apart.”

About Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK) and the Biomedical Translational Imaging Centre (BIOTIC)
The IWK is the Maritime region’s leading health care and research centre dedicated to the well-being of women, children, youth and families. The IWK is a global leader in research and knowledge sharing, and a partner in educating the next generation of health professionals. As part of the IWK, BIOTIC has an explicit mandate to translate medical science innovations with industry partners using clinical and preclinical imaging tools to produce next-generation healthcare advances. Visit www.iwk.nshealth.ca or www.bioticimaging.com for more information.

About Cubresa Inc.
Cubresa is a medical imaging company that develops and markets nuclear imaging systems that enable researchers at leading universities, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies to non-invasively visualize and measure biochemical processes at the molecular level. Applications for Cubresa’s products include preclinical drug development, disease research in oncology, neurology, and cardiology, as well as clinical diagnostics.  Cubresa has operations in Boston, Massachusetts and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Visit www.cubresa.com for more information.