First commercial use of Neuraceq beta-amyloid PET

Neuraceq (F-18 florbetaben) became available for commercial use on August 1 and has gone into action for clinical PET imaging of beta-amyloid in the brain at WVU Healthcare in Morgantown, W.Va., Piramal Imaging announced today.

This marks the first time the amyloid agent has been used in a non-research setting to aid clinicians as they evaluate the beta-amyloid neuritic plaque density of cognitively impaired patients in an effort to gain more certainty before making an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. 

“At WVU Healthcare, we are making history as the first center in the U.S. to offer patients access to beta-amyloid imaging with florbetaben without enrolling in a research trial,” said Gary D. Marano, MD, medical director of nuclear medicine and PET/CT. “For us as clinicians, it’s a new diagnostic option to offer patients and referring physicians in cases of cognitive decline and concerns for Alzheimer’s disease.”

Neuraceq received regulatory approval in Europe this year. It is the third amyloid agent approved for clinical use in the U.S., in addition to Amyvid (F-18 florbetapir) and Vizamyl (F-18 flutemetamol).

A positive beta-amyloid scan could signal Alzheimer’s disease, whereas a negative scan can rule out the possibility of Alzheimer’s. Before amyloid imaging, proof of amyloid burden in the brain was only possible by autopsy.

“As a company dedicated to innovation in molecular imaging, it was important to deliver Neuraceq into hands of trained dementia experts as soon as possible to start advancing treatment options and improving patient outcomes.” said Friedrich Gause, chief operating officer of Piramal Imaging. “We view this as an important milestone but just the beginning of our work to bring beta-amyloid imaging to the U.S. patient population.”