On Tuesday (26), the Brain Institute (InsCer) of PUCRS started commercial production of the radiopharmaceutical, Florbetaben (18F), which is used in the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. InsCer is a pioneer in producing this product in Brazil. As well as manufacturing this radiopharmaceutical, InsCer also provides PET/CT scans which use it (see more below).

Florbetaben (18F) is a radiopharmaceutical that can mark the beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. These are characteristic biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease, therefore, identifying them helps to confirm a diagnosis.

Florbetaben (18F) was developed by the German company, Life Molecular Imaging, and was brought to Brazil through a partnership between the Institute and the radiopharmaceutical manufacturer R2IBF. Initially, the substance produced was used in a clinical study by InsCer and seven other research centers in the country. This research is still in progress, but it was not a prerequisite to further use of the radiopharmaceutical, as it was approved by international regulators, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), in 2014.

“As we know, Alzheimer’s is a disease that not only affects the patient, but also their family and relatives. An accurate diagnosis is important for proper treatment and to help prepare the family. It is hugely satisfying that, in the year we celebrate our tenth anniversary, we can provide the Brazilian public with a radiopharmaceutical that helps doctors to manage this destructive disease. All of this was only possible due to the excellent commitment by our entire team and our partners, Life and the R2IBF Group”, said Louise Hartmann, the Production Coordinator at InsCer.

Roberto Vieira, the Executive Director of the R2IBF Group added:

“The partnership between InsCer and the R2IBF Group, has enabled our two organizations to work at the cutting edge of knowledge, providing the latest in Nuclear Medicine in Brazil and providing the Brazilian people with greater access to more innovative radiopharmaceuticals.”

This project is sponsored by the Funding Authority for Studies and Projects (FINEP).

SERVICES

InsCer provides PET/CT examinations using a beta-amyloid marker, which helps to indicate whether there are such deposits in the brains of patients with clinical symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease. For further information or to book an appointment, call +55 (51) 33205900.

Commercial information about the radiopharmaceutical can be obtained from our partner, R2IBF.