Siemens Medical Solutions

Siemens Medical Solutions of Hoffman Estates, Ill., has opened the Siemens Medical Solutions Molecular Imaging Biomarker Research facility in Los Angeles. The building will house labs for chemistry, in vitro biology, preclinical imaging and PET radiochemistry, as well as rooms for microfluidics research and development. Creation of imaging biomarkers for early diagnosis of cancer and neurological disorders will initially comprise the main focus of the facility as part of Siemens’ goal to integrate in vivo and in vitro diagnostics. Single-photon emission computed tomography or PET-CT will be used to detect the markers. The company hopes to develop at the facility several new agents to be brought to market in the next five to 10 years and eventually also to investigate cardiovascular disease. Currently, researchers in collaboration with partners in industry and academia are studying molecular imaging tracers to monitor angiogenesis, hypoxia and cell proliferation.