Contrast developer Bracco Imaging has launched an initiative aimed at expanding its microbubble ultrasound contrast agent technology into personalized gene therapy applications.
Specifically, Bracco is developing an application that would utilize its microbubble platform for treating chronic dysfunctional diseases related to lipid metabolism, according to the company. The research project resulted from a recent agreement with SonoGene, a start-up that's developing platforms for the therapeutic delivery of genes and pharmaceuticals using ultrasound-triggered microbubble delivery systems, Bracco said.
The vendor said it plans to cooperate closely on the project with ultrasound contrast luminary Dr. Steven Feinstein, a professor of medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and co-president of the International Contrast Ultrasound Society. The new experimental activities are now underway at Bracco's R&D center in Geneva.
