ART signs GE

GE Medical Systems has agreed to distribute a preclinical optical molecular imaging system made by Advanced Research Technologies. The deal grants GE exclusive worldwide rights to distribute the system, called SAMITM, which is designed for use in the R&D of therapeutic and diagnostic drugs. The system is an optical fluorescence molecular imaging device designed to help pharmaceutical companies and research laboratories better understand disease and shorten the development cycle for new drugs. The technology is based on ART's proprietary time domain optical imaging technology, which noninvasively images tissue to reveal the biological distribution and concentration of fluorescence-labeled markers. GE holds an equity stake in the firm and is advising staff there on the development of clinical products based on the optical technology (SCAN 11/6/02).