The CIC biomaGUNE team has created Ventipet, an innovative radiotracer for the diagnosis of lung ventilation. Its operation is based on a harmless radiofluorinated gas that provides a clear view of the gaseous content of the lungs throughout the respiratory cycle.
Ventipet is pioneering in that it is compatible with positron emission tomography (PET) inhalation, and is easily administered by natural breathing, which is especially beneficial for patients with reduced respiratory capacity.
This radiotracer is the result of a patented manufacturing process and pharmaceutical composition, available both in Europe (in 17 countries) and in the United States. A radiotracer, as Dr Merari Tumin Chevalier explains, is a chemical or biological entity labelled with a radioactive atom, which makes it possible to diagnose or induce damage in specific tissues.
The project began in 2013 with the mission to develop drugs to treat antibiotic-resistant lung infections. During the early stages, the team recognised the difficulties in assessing lung ventilation regionally in experimental animals. This led to the creation of an inert, non-toxic, poorly soluble radiofluorinated gas that allows lung ventilation to be determined by PET, offering an accurate and non-invasive diagnosis.
This discovery promises to revolutionise the diagnosis of respiratory diseases, enabling early detection, monitoring and treatment assessment. Following a patent application in 2016, the team has demonstrated its therapeutic efficacy in preclinical studies and has started production of the gas in accordance with good manufacturing practices.
The CIC biomaGUNE team expects that, following preclinical safety studies and technological development, Ventipet can advance to clinical phases I, II and III, and eventually obtain marketing authorisation. The aim is for Ventipet to become the reference standard for lung ventilation assessment, favouring the early detection of respiratory disorders and thus improving the health and quality of life of patients.
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