NanoHybrids gets NIH grant for atherosclerotic plaque imaging

Kathy Mahdoubi | | Health Imaging | Molecular Imaging

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be bankrolling a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for Austin-based NanoHybrids to develop contrast agents for the detection of atherosclerotic plaques, the company announced today.

The intravascular ultrasound and photoacoustic (IVUS/IVPA) technology will be combined with molecular agents to scope out immune response via macrophage activity in high-risk vulnerable plaques, which the company estimates is behind 70 percent of sudden coronary deaths and fatal acute myocardial infarctions.

“The NanoHybrids team is excited about the grant since it represents a step forward in our journey towards the clinic,” said Justin Harris, PhD, NanoHybrid’s principal investigator for the grant. “Our targeted solution has the potential to generate significant clinical impact since identifying vulnerable plaques prior to disruption will enable appropriate therapies which, in turn can reduce the rate of heart attack and stroke.”

IVUS is already clinically approved and will be combined with IVPA and molecular agents for a comprehensive diagnostic technology.
 

Kathy Mahdoubi

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