New drug-screening technology uses infrared imaging

APRIL 13--FLIR Systems Inc. (N. Billerica, MA; www.flir.com), a supplier of infrared imaging systems, and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK; Research Triangle Park, NC; www.gsk.com), a leading provider of pharmaceutical and health-care products, have agreed to license an innovative drug-screening technology using infrared imaging to a newly formed company called Thermogenic Imaging Inc. (Billerica, MA; www.thermogenicimaging.com). The new company is using advanced infrared-imaging technology to measure temperature changes as small as five-thousandths of a degree Celsius. It can measure small changes in cellular metabolism, growth, or toxic response based on emitted thermal radiation.

GSK is forming a multiyear strategic alliance with Thermogenic to further develop the infrared technology and applications. Thermogenic has already unveiled its first product--a system for screening drug compounds in rodents.

Earl Lewis, FLIR chief executive officer, says, "We have chosen to spin this technology out to a new, highly focused life-sciences venture as part of our strategy to commercialize new applications of FLIR's technology through business immersed in target markets."

Allan Baxter, GSK senior vice president, drug discovery, research and development, comments, "We expect this technology to reduce significantly the time required to evaluate new drug compounds both in vitro and in vivo."

Thermogenic Imaging founder and chief executive officer Jay Teich, notes, "Our in vivo system represents a breakthrough in high-throughput, noninvasive screening of candidate drug compounds in animals. We offer the ability to monitor identical biological processes in animals, organs, and cell cultures."