Ohio State cuts ribbon on $13M molecular imaging facility

Ohio State University (OSU) announced today that it has completed construction and development on a $13 million molecular imaging research center called Translational Research Center for Molecular Imaging Pharmaceuticals at the Columbus-based Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging.

OSU worked in tandem with the State of Ohio Third Frontier Commission and Cardinal Health to design and implement the research site, a 27,000 square-foot facility where a variety of investigational PET and other agents for imaging neurological and cardiovascular disease and cancer are expected to be developed.

"This research center is another example of how effective private-public partnerships can be at creating investment and opportunity right here in Ohio," Ohio Lt. Governor Mary Taylor said in a press release.

The Wexner Medical Center, Veterinary Medical Center and West Campus Technology and Incubator facilities are all in close proximity to the new facility.

"We are very excited that this collaboration between Cardinal Health and Ohio State will advance medical imaging to more effectively alert patients to seek treatment for life-threatening diseases," OSU president Michael V. Drake said in the release. "The university's research expertise paired with the development capacity of Cardinal Health will expedite the discovery and delivery of quality healthcare while promoting a critical industry in our region."

Translational Research Center for Molecular Imaging Pharmaceuticals will put 80 employees to work in divisions of research, manufacturing and nuclear pharmacology.