inviCRO acquires Molecular NeuroImaging (MNI) to establish full spectrum translational imaging capabilities

BOSTON, MA (February 25, 2016) - inviCRO, LLC,  and Molecular NeuroImaging, LLC, both leading providers of imaging service solutions and analysis for research and drug development,  announced they will merge all activities to provide the most comprehensive set of imaging services across the spectrum of drug development.  inviCRO has acquired MNI and MNI will operate as a division of inviCRO.

"MNI is a recognized leader in neurological-focused imaging and scintigraphy services, and it is an honor to combine our two organizations to provide our global customers the most comprehensive imaging service offering available,” said Dr. Jack Hoppin, inviCRO's Co-Founder and CEO. "We have long been focused on improving the paradigm of cost-effective, time-efficient drug development efforts through imaging.”

MNI Co-Founders Drs. Ken Marek and John Seibyl are pioneers in the field of neurological imaging and drug development.  As significant shareholders and Board Members at inviCRO, Marek and Seibyl will continue in their positions leading and growing MNI.

inviCRO and MNI are each industry leaders, and combined are poised to considerably expand global imaging services. With a combined team of interdisciplinary researchers, inviCRO will now cover the entire spectrum of translational imaging capabilities. inviCRO has historically focused on early stage research through lead drug candidate selection, while MNI has unique capabilities in radioligand development and use of radioligands to establish target engagement in early clinical trials. Moreover, MNI is internationally recognized for their ability to develop and execute large-scale clinical imaging trials for diagnosis, progression, and disease monitoring to support radiopharmaceutical and Phase 2-3 pharmaceutical development.

“MNI’s clinical trial model is a tremendous platform on which inviCRO can expand its clinical offerings and ensure that there is a fully translational imaging service offering for any therapeutic area,” Co-Founder and Managing Director Dr. Christian Lackas explained. “The clinical capabilities will be further leveraged by the use of inviCRO's advanced analytics capabilities and leading software platforms, VivoQuant™ and iPACS®, which are used to manage, organize, and process both nonclinical and clinical imaging data for our pharmaceutical, device and life sciences research customers.”      

"We have had a long history of mutual respect with inviCRO, and the choice to come together was driven by the unique opportunity to create an industry-leading, full-service company that will be better able to contribute to the development of meaningful therapies for patients and their families," explained Dr. Marek. Dr. Seibyl added, "Our customers will have access to the extensive expertise of both teams, increasing the value of our services, as well as the opportunity for long-term scientific partnerships.”

Adding MNI as a division of inviCRO is the latest in a number of strategic growth steps by the company, which was established in 2008. The company acquired a Seattle-based histology team in 2015 and opened a co-managed Translational Imaging Center on the campus of MPI Research in Mattawan, MI, in 2014. William U. Parfet joined as a partner in 2014 and will chair the newly updated Board of Directors. inviCRO will continue to expand operations in both its New Haven, CT and Boston locations. The company is currently expanding its nonclinical imaging laboratory and administrative headquarters in Boston’s Innovation District.