Life Molecular Imaging (LMI) and St. Teresa's Hospital have announced that Florbetaben (18F) Injection, marketed as Neuraceq®, will become available in Hong Kong by March 2025. This radioactive diagnostic agent represents a significant advancement in Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis capabilities for the region.
The introduction of Neuraceq® at St. Teresa's Hospital is expected to enhance early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease while raising awareness about the condition throughout Hong Kong. This launch aligns with LMI's broader mission to expand global access to advanced diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative diseases.
Advanced Diagnostic Capabilities for Alzheimer's Disease
Neuraceq® is an FDA-approved radioactive diagnostic agent specifically designed for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging of the brain. The agent estimates β-amyloid neuritic plaque density in adult patients with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for Alzheimer's Disease and other causes of cognitive decline.
The diagnostic agent works by binding to amyloid plaques, a hallmark pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease, allowing them to be visualized during PET scans. A negative Neuraceq® scan indicates sparse to no neuritic plaques, inconsistent with an AD diagnosis, while a positive scan shows moderate to frequent amyloid neuritic plaques—a finding commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. Ludger Dinkelborg, Managing Director at LMI, emphasized the company's commitment to expanding access to this technology: "LMI remains dedicated to expanding global access to Neuraceq®. We are pleased to partner with St. Teresa's Hospital in Hong Kong to enhance the diagnosis of patients undergoing evaluation for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease, while ensuring Neuraceq® remains easily accessible to physicians in the region."
Clinical Applications and Treatment Pathway Integration
Beyond its diagnostic value, Neuraceq® serves as a critical tool for determining patient eligibility for newly approved anti-amyloid drugs. These disease-modifying monoclonal antibody treatments, recently introduced at St. Teresa's Hospital, target the underlying pathology of Alzheimer's disease rather than just managing symptoms.
With the addition of Neuraceq®, St. Teresa's Hospital now offers a comprehensive care pathway for Alzheimer's patients—from state-of-the-art diagnosis to targeted anti-amyloid therapy. This integrated approach represents a significant advancement in AD management in the region.
The diagnostic agent is also valuable for clinical trial enrollment, supporting further drug development in neurodegenerative diseases by ensuring appropriate patient selection based on amyloid status.
Technical Specifications and Safety Profile
Neuraceq® has demonstrated a favorable safety profile based on data from 1,090 administrations to 872 subjects. No serious adverse reactions related to Neuraceq® administration have been reported. The most common adverse reactions were injection site reactions, including erythema (1.7%), irritation (1.1%), and pain (3.4%).
As with all radiopharmaceuticals, Neuraceq® contributes to a patient's overall long-term cumulative radiation exposure, which is associated with an increased cancer risk. Proper handling protocols are essential to protect both patients and healthcare workers from unintentional radiation exposure.
Healthcare providers should be aware that while Neuraceq® is a powerful diagnostic tool, it has limitations. A positive scan does not definitively establish an AD diagnosis, and the agent's effectiveness has not been established for predicting dementia development or monitoring treatment responses.
Institutional Background
St. Teresa's Hospital, established in 1940, has grown into one of Hong Kong's most respected private hospitals. With approximately 1,000 beds and over 50 resident medical officers, the hospital offers extensive general and specialist care services. Its Cyclotron Pharmaceutical Centre supports the Scanning Department in providing advanced PET scan services, making it well-positioned to incorporate Neuraceq® into its diagnostic offerings.
Life Molecular Imaging is an international pharmaceutical company focused on developing and offering cutting-edge PET radiopharmaceuticals for imaging neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. As an affiliate of Life Healthcare Group, LMI benefits from four decades of healthcare experience in the South African private sector.
The introduction of Neuraceq® at St. Teresa's Hospital represents a significant step forward in addressing the growing challenge of Alzheimer's disease in Hong Kong, providing physicians with advanced tools for early diagnosis and treatment planning.
