GE Healthcare offers a complete spectrum of nuclear cardiology products and services. From tracers to equipment - everything necessary to grow and prosper in today’s cardiac environment. Courtesy of GE Healthcare

Uppsala, Sweden and Waukesha, WI, USA - April 19, 2012

GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), and NXT2B, a privately owned venture capital company, today announced they have entered into a joint financing agreement with the goal of developing a micro-scale radiotracer infrastructure including cyclotron and PET tracer production.

The PETtrace 800 cyclotron The PETtrace 800 series is based on a 16.5 MeV proton accelerator with an 8.4 MeV deuteron option. With dual-beam capability, you can double your production output or produce two different tracers simultaneously. The PETtrace 800 series is also available in the self-shielded PETtrace 800S series. Courtesy of GE Healthcare

The three-year development project will be led by GE Healthcare and will be headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden.

The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Compact, self-shielded, affordable cyclotron The PETtrace 700 Series positron-emitting isotope production system is fully automated and easy to operate so you can efficiently produce commonly used PET isotopes and tracers. The cyclotron has the capacity to help you meet local distribution demands for clinical procedures and research. You’ll also experience minimal radiation exposure because the PETtrace 700 Series has a vertical cyclotron mid-plane design and quick-release components. Courtesy of GE Healthcare

“In line with GE’s healthymagination strategy to develop innovations that increase access, reduce cost and improve quality in the healthcare system globally, GE Healthcare and NXT2B are pleased to announce a joint financing project to develop an unmatched next generation of equipment and software for the production of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracers,” said Erik Strömqvist, general manager, Cyclotrons, GE Healthcare.
“The goal of the project is to develop a turn-key radiotracer infrastructure solution for the production of PET tracers to primarily fulfill the needs of emerging markets, for rural and regional hospitals, and researchers.”

GE Healthcare’s TRACERcenter is a unique hub that integrates technology, scientific expertise and clinical know-how to put you at the forefront of PET tracer production and imaging – no matter what part of the world you call home. Working in close partnership with you to provide solutions customized exclusively to your PET research site or clinical center, we’ll provide you with all the support you need throughout your program’s lifetime. The result? A tracer-production and imaging center you’ll be free to operate with full confidence and complete peace of mind. Courtesy of GE Healthcare

At the core of the new TRACERcenter* 600 is a unique compact, cost effective, easy to site cyclotron, and a radiotracer production operation building on GE Healthcare’s more than 80- year legacy in radiopharmaceuticals and chemistry.

Producing PET tracers requires sophisticated laboratories with a wide range of advanced equipment. Our TRACERcenter helps simplify the process by custom-designing a tracer-production facility to meet your specific needs. The result: a solution that enables compliance with rigorous GMP guidelines, to ensure that the radiotracers you produce are of the highest quality, offering maximum safety and efficacy. Courtesy of GE Healthcare

The PETtrace* 600 cyclotron will have approximately 50 percent smaller footprint than a traditional cyclotron, enabling siting in settings never before possible.

One single point of Contact for all your equipment. Courtesy of GE Healthcare

Together with PETtrace 600, TRACERcenter 600 solution will be capable of producing a full portfolio of F18 and C11 tracers to detect cancer and neurodegenerative disease.

The TRACERcenter commitment continues well beyond the first dose you administer to a patient. We offer extended service contracts for up to 4 years post-warranty - contracts that include preventive maintenance for all the equipment we install, to help ensure you of maximum uptime year after year. Courtesy of GE Healthcare

“We’re proud to partner with GE to help create greater access to PET tracer production in areas of the world that previously did not have access to and to address the large unmet needs for PET diagnostics in oncology and neurology,” said Bengt Ågerup, CEO and Founder, NXT2B.

Bengt Ågerup, CEO and Founder, NXT2B. Bengt is a Ph D and has held senior positions within Pharmacia and Biomatrix and started the company Q-Med that was subsequently sold to Galderma in 2011. Q-Med is the world leading company for dermal injectable fillers and the main product is Restylane. Bengt is the Chairman of Stockholm Uppsala Life Science and a Board Member of the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research. Courtesy of NXT2B

While the technology of PET scanners have rapidly developed and evolved, parallel advancements in the necessary tracer production equipment and processes have not occurred.

The GE TRACERcenter also offers comprehensive quality - assurance support - including a complete set of QC guidance documentation as well as consulting services to help you set up a Quality Management System (QMS), build and train an excellent PET staff, operate your facility with GMP compliance, and apply for all pertinent operational licenses. Courtesy of GE Healthcare

Current PET tracer production methods are costly, complicated and require a large number of highly trained individuals.

Courtesy of GE Healthcare

With the inherent nature of the short lived isotopes, distribution is often not possible due to lack of supporting infrastructure in regions where PET imaging is expanding.

Infinia General Purpose Scanner Infinia is a general purpose, dual-detector nuclear imaging system designed for flexibility and efficiency. Courtesy of GE Healthcare

“Simplifying the process and technology of PET tracer production involves a paradigm shift from a traditional approach to a small, easy to use cyclotron, a chemistry module that is automated, and a complete and compliant quality control process that is integrated into the system,” added Strömqvist.
“GE’s cyclotrons have gained a reputation worldwide of being the most reliable, most flexible and easily upgradeable, from a company recognized as a partner by its customers.”

Infinia General Purpose Scanner Infinia is a general purpose, dual-detector nuclear imaging system designed for flexibility and efficiency. Courtesy of GE Healthcare

*Trademark of General Electric Company


About NXT2B


NXT2B is a privately owned investment company started in 2011 by the Swedish entrepreneur Bengt Ågerup.

NXT2B focuses on growth equity investments in healthcare, medical devices and specialty pharmaceutical companies but also invests in technology and consumer companies.

With its structure, NXT2B is able to make fast decisions on any investment opportunity and has invested in more than 30 companies.

Courtesy of NXT2B

NXT2B supports its portfolio company management teams not only financially but also with entrepreneurial experience to build fast growing, market leading companies.

For more information about NXT2B visit our website at
www.nxt2b.com  


About GE Healthcare


GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care.

Our broad expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance improvement and performance solutions services help our customers to deliver better care to more people around the world at a lower cost.

In addition, we partner with healthcare leaders, striving to leverage the global policy change necessary to implement a successful shift to sustainable healthcare systems.

Our “healthymagination” vision for the future invites the world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality around the world.

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE).

Worldwide, GE Healthcare employees are committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than 100 countries.

For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our website at
www.gehealthcare.com  


Press contacts

Rebecca Hayne
GE Healthcare
+1 414-248-1542
rebecca.hayne@ge.com  

Alexander Kotsinas
NXT2B
+46 735 00 11 11
Alexander.Kotsinas@nxt2b.com  


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