Recipient: University Hospital Jena
Funding: GO-Bio initial conceptual phase 4 (01/10/2023 to 30/09/2024, EUR 119,867.69)

Project description:

The aim of the Liver Diagnostics project is to develop and market a diagnostic analytical substance for imaging-based liver diagnostics using positron emission tomography in combination with computed tomography (PET/CT). This powerful imaging technique is mainly used for tumour diagnostics. However, no suitable analytical substances are as yet available for functional liver diagnostics.

The novel diagnostic consists of a weakly radioactive isotope, which decays after a short time, as well as a liver-specific carrier substance to enable the spatial analysis of liver function by PET/CT. Due to its short lifespan the liver diagnostic is to be produced directly by the medical user in its active form. The underlying principle uses a technology that is already widely used in nuclear medicine clinics as well as in doctors’ offices.

The liver diagnostics envisaged in this project should enable a significantly improved analysis of liver function in a variety of liver diseases. This increases the chances of recovery from liver surgery and also opens up the possibility of addressing aspects of liver diagnostics where conventional methods fail. In the upcoming exploratory phase a concept for the best possible utilisation of the diagnostic analysis substance is to be developed. To this end an IP strategy will be developed, the market and competition will be analysed and an implementation plan for the subsequent feasibility phase will be drawn up.