MPI Research Breaks Ground On Imaging Center

By Ed Miseta, Chief Editor, Clinical Leader

In June 2013 pharmaceutical research firm MPI Research formed a strategic partnership with imaging informatics provider INVICRO and 3D Imaging, a provider of radiopharmaceuticals. To date, the three companies have collaborated on over 100 unique imaging projects. The goal of the partnership was to unite molecular imaging, radiochemistry, and informatics under one roof, so as to accelerate the drug discovery and development process for drug sponsors. On September 6^th the three companies held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new world-class Imaging Center. The center is set to open in spring 2014, although many of the expanded imaging solutions, including nonhuman primate PET and CT imaging capabilities, became available in July 2013.

MPI Research imaging center groundbreaking ceremony.  From L to R: Mike Bryant, senior project manager, CSM Group; Jack Hoppin, co-founder and managing partner, INVICRO; William U. Parfet, chairman, president, and CEO, MPI Research; Marc Berridge, president and founder, 3D Imaging; Brandon Duprey, group VP, CSM Group.

The Imaging Center, a two-story, 10,000-square-foot facility, will be located on the campus of  global corporate headquarters for MPI Research in Mattawan, MI. The multi-million dollar project will leverage the complementary strengths of each partner, including MPI Research’s comprehensive CRO-based pre-clinical and clinical services, the molecular imaging informatics capabilities of INVICRO and the radiopharmaceutical group at 3D Imaging. The facility was designed to meet all regulatory requirements for pre-clinical as well as future clinical radiopharmaceutical production.

William Parfet, chairman, president and CEO of MPI Research, notes this will be the first time pharmaceutical researchers will have access to the world’s first commercially available cyclotron facility directly connected to a vivarium. The union will permit drug radiolabeling and in-depth study across a wide variety of animal models.

“Thanks to the insights and dedication of our team and our partners at INVICRO and 3D Imaging, this addition will further establish MPI Research as a truly one-of-a-kind research facility and global resource for drug development,” said MPI Research Chairman, President, and CEO William U. Parfet. “It is also an important and

A large crowd attends the MPI Research imaging center groundbreaking ceremony, September 6, 2013.

highly visible reflection of how our community, our region, and the state of Michigan continue to move forward as leaders in the life sciences.”

“Only the Imaging Center at MPI Research will offer translational imaging capabilities all under one roof,” said Jack Hoppin, PhD, Co-founder, and partner of INVICRO. “This will fill a void that is not being addressed anywhere in the world, and most importantly, will speed drug discovery and development programs to market.”

“Together with our partners, MPI Research and INVICRO, we are creating a total translational imaging tool,” said Marc Berridge, PhD, President, and Founder of 3D Imaging. “It will take drug development to the next level by providing biotech and pharmaceutical companies with key information that has never before been available.”

“The combined expertise of each of our companies coming together in partnership to develop and operate this novel, world-class imaging center is certainly exciting to us as professionals in this industry”, said Scott Haller, MS, Director of the Imaging Center at MPI.  “Our hope and commitment is to drive our industry forward to meet the needs of patients around the globe”.