IC Targets AS receives Notice of Allowance for cardiac MRI patent
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for the first patent in IC Targets second-generation cardiac patent portfolio, marking an important milestone in the expansion of the company's intellectual property. The patent will provide protection until June 2041.
The US patent further strengthens IC Targets expanding intellectual property portfolio, which comprises innovative technologies designed to advance cardiac diagnostics and improve patient care.
"This Notice of Allowance marks an important milestone in our efforts to develop imaging technologies that enable earlier and more precise diagnosis of heart disease. By providing information on both myocardial fibrosis and cardiomyocyte function, this patented approach has the potential to improve clinical decision-making and patient care," said Jonny Østensen, Chief Scientific Officer and main inventor.
The patent covers a method for diagnosing and evaluating patients with heart failure and cardiomyopathies by measuring the contrast effect of mangafodipir or other manganese-releasing MRI contrast agents. By quantifying manganese uptake, the method distinguishes between reduced uptake caused by myocardial fibrosis and reduced uptake resulting from impaired cardiomyocyte function, as seen in certain forms of heart failure and cardiomyopathy.
Unlike current gadolinium-based contrast agents, which provide only an indirect assessment of myocardial fibrosis and no direct information on cardiomyocyte function, the patented approach enables simultaneous evaluation of myocardial fibrosis and cardiomyocyte function, providing a more comprehensive assessment of myocardial tissue.
Cardiac fibrosis—structural remodeling of the heart muscle—is a major driver of heart failure and arrhythmias. Earlier and more precise characterization of these changes may help clinicians better assess disease severity, stratify patient risk and identify patients who could benefit from targeted therapies.
A new generation of heart failure therapies has recently entered the market, several of which target fibrotic remodeling, while more than 75 additional drug candidates from over 70 companies are currently in clinical development.
"As treatment options continue to expand, we expect growing demand for advanced cardiac MRI technologies that enable clinicians to localize and quantify myocardial abnormalities and monitor response to therapy. We believe this technology is well positioned to address an important unmet need in the evolving heart failure market," said Elin Godager, Chief Business Officer.
The new patent strengthens IC Targets intellectual property portfolio and supports the company's mission to develop next-generation MRI technologies that enable earlier diagnosis, improved patient stratification and more personalized management of cardiovascular disease.
