Rockland Technimed Ltd. Presents Oxy-17® Metabolic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology at 2012 Brain Energy Metabolism and Blood Flow Gordon Research Conference

WATERVILLE, Maine, Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockland Technimed Ltd., a pioneer in developing metabolic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) media, today presented the latest research on the potential clinical applications of brain MRI performed with its patented imaging medium, Oxy-17^®.  The presentation highlighted the use of Oxy-17^® MRI to measure two key indicators of cerebral tissue function: cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO₂) and oxygen extraction fraction (OEF). OEF is essential to the assessment of stroke risk (ischemic infarction risk) and the diagnosis and management of chronic cerebral steno-occlusive disease. The presentation was given at the 5^th Gordon Research Conference on Brain Energy Metabolism and Blood Flow at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

"As a leading player in advancing the visualization and quantification of brain metabolism and function, we are pleased to renew our commitment to participate in and support the Gordon Research Conference," said Pradeep M. Gupte, chairman and CEO of Rockland Technimed, Ltd. "With its ability to directly measure brain oxygen metabolism, enable clinicians to localize and assess tissue viability during acute ischemic injury, and predict the chronic risk of ischemic injury with vascular stenosis, Oxy-17^® could  become a critical tool in the diagnosis and treatment of stroke and other neurodegenerative disorders."

The presentation titled "Potential Clinical Applications of Brain ¹⁷O MRI CMRO₂ and OEF" was given by Robert DeLaPaz, M.D., a board member of Rockland Technimed Ltd., and professor of radiology and neuroradiology at Columbia University - New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York. In addition to being widely known for his work in applications of functional MRI to analyze brain disorders and brain rehabilitation, Dr. DeLaPaz also served as the lead author on the American College of Radiology (ACR) expert panel on neurologic imaging to develop the appropriateness criteria for cerebrovascular disease.

"Today's acute stroke management model is moving towards rapidly identifying and targeting tissue on the verge of infarction, or death, to minimize irreversible damage. In addition, the reliable prediction of stroke risk with cerebrovascular stenosis is the holy grail of stroke prevention," said Dr. DeLaPaz. "Our research suggests that by providing direct measurements of the critical components of oxygen metabolism, an Oxy-17^® MRI could pinpoint ailing yet viable tissue in the acute phase, better predict the risk of stroke in chronic stenosis, and potentially improve treatment outcomes and prevent stroke."

About Oxy-17^®
Oxy-17^® is the only non-radioactive imaging medium to measure real-time oxygen metabolism, oxygen extraction fraction and molecular oxygen consumption – key indicators of cell health and tissue viability.  Using an unaltered clinical MRI scanner, Oxy-17^® enables early detection of hypoxia (lack of available oxygen) in cardiac and cerebral tissue, potentially improving treatment outcomes in patients with suspected heart attack or stroke. Oxy-17^® technology has potentially vast clinical applications including tracking tumor response to radiation or chemotherapy, epilepsy loci mapping, and providing surrogate endpoints in drug discovery research.

About Gordon Research Conference
The biannual Gordon Research Conference (GRC) is devoted to presentations of frontline research of brain metabolism, cell signaling, cell-cell interactions and vascular regulation in the normal and injured brain. The conference is a unique opportunity for experts and newcomers alike to exchange state-of-the-art advances in methodology and concepts, as well as outline promising avenues for collaborative research. For the 5th GRC on Brain Energy Metabolism and Blood Flow, the overall general theme turns around oxygen, blood flow and mitochondria in normal and pathological brain function.

About Rockland Technimed Ltd.
Rockland Technimed Limited (RTL) is a theranostic imaging company committed to the early diagnosis and treatment of hypoxic injury through Oxy-17^®, its patented metabolic magnetic resonance imaging medium.  RTL has the world's largest production source of Oxy-17^® Gas, an enriched form of naturally available oxygen, in compliance with the cGMP requirement for medical gases, and commercially available in the United States and European Union for more than 20 years.  RTL's lead preclinical candidate, Oxy-17^® Fusion, is the first ready-to-use intravenous formulation of Oxy-17^® Gas and is currently in regulatory marketing studies in Germany (European Union) and the United States.  Oxy-17^® Fusion will be commercialized in the United States by RTL, and in the European Union by a joint venture partnership company comprised of RTL and Nukem Isotopes GmbH. 

For more information about Rockland Technimed, Ltd. and Oxy-17^®, please visit: www.oxy-17.com.

SOURCE Rockland Technimed Ltd.