Value Proposition
· Non-invasive imaging agent correlates with liver function and can detect low levels of liver-fibrosis.
· Imaging agent has higher sensitivity than traditional liver function tests.
· Glyco-ligand can potentially be used to target other drugs to the liver.
Technology Description
Current methods for detecting liver function either rely on surgical intervention to biopsy liver tissue or imaging techniques that are limited in sensitivity to late-stage liver fibrosis. Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a radiolabeled chemical that can precisely liver function non-invasively. The molecule contains several GalNAc sugars that have high affinity for the liver asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) leading to rapid uptake by healthy liver as well as a radiolabel Indium 111 which enables SPEC/CT imaging. Data demonstrates that the uptake of this molecule into the liver highly correlates with the extent of liver function, even during low levels of drug or injury induced fibrosis. Overall, this molecule provides a more sensitive and non-invasive diagnostic technique to assess liver function.
Unmet Need
Early diagnosis of liver fibrosis is often necessary to ensure optimal responses to treatment and potential recovery. Although surgical biopsy is the standard for detecting liver fibrosis, disadvantages of the invasive procedure include sampling error and post-surgical complications. Furthermore, non-invasive strategies like MRI and ultrasound imaging are only capable of detecting advanced fibrosis. Thus, there is a need for sensitive and non-invasive diagnostic strategies for detecting liver disease.
Stage of Development
Clinical asset Study Details | to Assess the Accuracy and Reliability of the Ga68-Dolacga Positron Emission Tomography Compared to Computer Tomography Volumetry and Indocyanine Green Retention Test for Measurement of Liver Reserve | ClinicalTrials.gov
Publication
Wang MH, Chien CY, Yu HM, Wang PY, Lin WJ. Use of 111In-Hexavalent Lactoside for Liver Reserve Estimation in Rodents with Thioacetamide-Induced Hepatic Fibrosis. Mol Pharm. 2018 Oct 1;15(10):4417-4425. doi: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b00326. Epub 2018 Sep 14. PMID: 30102864.N/A
Wang MH, Chien CY, Wang PY, Yu HM, Lee HS, Lin WJ. The specificity and accuracy of (111)In-hexavalent lactoside in estimating liver reserve and its threshold value for mortality in mice. J Hepatol. 2015 Aug;63(2):370-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.02.052. Epub 2015 Mar 19. PMID: 25797863.
