Molecular Imaging in Drug Discovery and Development.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Drug Development
• Molecular Imaging

Background:

• Noninvasive imaging is crucial in cardiovascular drug development.
• Molecular imaging enhances preclinical drug development stages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the application of molecular imaging in cardiovascular drug development.
• To highlight its role in accelerating preclinical processes and early clinical trials.

Main Methods:

• Review of molecular imaging technologies and their applications.
• Analysis of use in preclinical (target identification, efficacy, safety, pharmacodynamics) and early clinical (Phase 0) studies.
• Discussion of retasking diagnostic technologies for drug development.

Main Results:

• Molecular imaging improves target identification, on-target/off-target effect evaluation, dose-response assessment, and biodistribution/pharmacodynamics.
• It is used in Phase 0 trials for proof-of-concept and explaining treatment variations.
• Diagnostic imaging technologies are being repurposed for drug development.

Conclusions:

• Molecular imaging is vital for improving and accelerating cardiovascular drug development.
• Its expanded use is expected to significantly reduce the time and cost of bringing new drugs to market.
• Recognition of in vivo molecular imaging's informational richness will drive its adoption.