CERN and NASA spin out makes progress on 3D imaging

XCounter AB, which spun out from NASA and CERN to commercialise 3D X-ray imaging, signed a brachytherapy imaging agreement with Nucletron B.V.

In the first phase of the cooperation XCounter will evaluate the properties of a novel imaging system for brachytherapy treatments. This evaluation is a preliminary study, prior to moving to a full agreement on the development of a dedicated imaging system for brachytherapy, especially designed for Nucletron.

“High image quality and low-dose imaging are vital components in precision cancer treatment. said Dick van Waes, Business Director Brachytherapy and Imaging of Nucletron. “XCounter´s imaging principles very attractive and we are looking forward to the results of this study,”

“In line with our business model, which is to invent and develop innovative patient and disease specific imaging systems and concepts for leading medical companies, the agreement is a further recognition of our capabilities,” said Tom Francke, CEO of XCounter.

Brachytherapy is a high precision, minimally invasive radiation therapy, used for treating cancers in parts of the body which have sensitive adjacent organs. Examples include breast, bladder, brain, head and neck, lung, oesophagus and prostate tumours.

Stockholm-based XCounter, which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market in London, is commercialising imaging systems based on 3-dimensional X-ray imaging, XCT -3T, which the company claims has a number of advantages over competing technologies. XCT -3T enables fast acquisition of high resolution 3D images at low doses of radiation. It is believed this will translate into more predictable diagnosis, as well lower risks for the patients when compared to existing imaging techniques.

XCounter currently has four product platforms in development based on XCT -3. The first XC Mammo-3T, is designed for 3D breast cancer screening. The second, XC MP -3T is for general body imaging.

In addition, XCounter is developing two platforms for preventive cardiac imaging. XC Cardio-3T for functional imaging of the heart will have the capability of imaging the perfusion of blood through the heart muscle, leakage through the valves and blood flow through coronary arteries in different phases of the heart cycle. These measures will enable doctors to treat patients before any serious complications occur.

The second application, XC cardio-4T provides dynamic 3D images of the beating heart.