Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, wherein the compounds have affinity for proteoglycans. The compounds comprise an amino acid based core unit linked to positively charged moieties. The compounds further comprise at least one imaging moiety detectable in in vivo imaging making the compounds useful as diagnostic contrast agents for imaging of proteoglycans, such as heparan sulphate proteoglycans.

Abstract: The invention relates to contrast agents for imaging of diseases associated with inflammations. More specifically the invention provides optical imaging contrast agents for imaging of activated leukocytes and methods for imaging of such. The contrast agent changes its fluorescent properties upon reaction with oxidants produced by the activated leukocytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to quenched fluorescent probes which arc activated by biochemical processes. The probes are designed such that intramolecular quenching occurs in the unactivated probe, but that the quencher moieties are cleaved from the probe under defined conditions rendering the probe fluorescent. Also disclosed are optical imaging agents suitable for in vivo imaging comprising the probes, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and kits, as well as in vivo imaging methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, wherein the compounds have affinity for proteoglycans. The compounds comprise an amino acid based core unit linked to positively charged moieties. The compounds further comprise at least one imaging moiety detectable in in vivo imaging making the compounds useful as diagnostic contrast agents for imaging of proteoglycans, such as heparan sulphate proteoglycans.

Abstract: The invention relates to contrast agents for imaging of diseases associated with inflammations. More specifically the invention provides optical imaging contrast agents for imaging of activated leukocytes and methods for imaging of such. The contrast agent changes its fluorescent properties upon reaction with oxidants produced by the activated leukocytes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel imaging agent suitable for the non-invasive visualization of fibrosis. A method for the preparation of the imaging agent is also provided by the invention, as well as a precursor for use in said method. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the imaging agent and a kit for the preparation of the pharmaceutical. In a further aspect, use of the imaging agent for in vivo imaging and in the preparation of a medicament for the diagnosis of a condition in which LOX is upregulated is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel imaging agent targeting the mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) receptor suitable for the non-invasive visualization of fibrosis. A method for the preparation of the imaging agent is also provided by the invention, as well as a precursor for use in said method. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the imaging agent and a kit for the preparation of the pharmaceutical composition. In a further aspect, use of the imaging agent for in vivo imaging and in the preparation of a medicament for the diagnosis of a condition in which the mannose-6-phosphate receptor is upregulated is provided.

Abstract: A novel imaging agent is described which comprises a semaphorin moiety and an imaging moiety. The novel imaging agent of the invention may be used in the diagnostic imaging of cancer and in particular, for targeting angiogenesis or metaplasia. Further aspects of the present invention presented herein include a method for the preparation of the imaging agent, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the imaging agent of the invention and a kit for the preparation of said pharmaceutical.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition of matter of the formula (I): V-L-R, where V is a vector moiety having affinity for an angiogenesis-related endothelias cell receptor, L is a linker moiety or a bond and R is a detectable moiety, characterised in that V is a non-peptidic organic group, or V is peptidic and R is a macromolecular or particulate species providing a multiplicity of labels detectable in in vivo imaging.

Abstract: The invention provides contrast agents for optical imaging of prostate cancer in patients. The contrast agents may be used in diagnosis of prostate cancer, for follow up of progress in disease development, for follow up of treatment of prostate cancer and for surgical guidance. Further, the invention provides methods for optical imaging of prostate cancer in patients.

Abstract: The invention provides contrast agents for optical imaging of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque in patients. The contrast agents may be used in diagnosis of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque, for follow up of progress in disease development, for follow up of treatment of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque and for surgical guidance. Further, the invention provides methods for optical imaging of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque in patients.

Abstract: The invention provides contrast agents for optical imaging of oesophageal cancer and Barrett's oesophagus in patients. The contrast agents may be used in diagnosis of oesophageal cancer and Barrett's oesophagus, for follow up of progress in disease development, for follow up of treatment of oesophageal cancer and Barrett's oesophagus and for surgical guidance. Further, the invention provides methods for optical imaging of oesophageal cancer and Barrett's oesophagus in patients.

Abstract: The invention provides contrast agents for optical imaging of lung cancer in patients. The contrast agents may be used in diagnosis of lung cancer, for follow up of progress in disease development, for follow up of treatment of lung cancer and for surgical guidance. Further, the invention provides methods for optical imaging of lung cancer in patients.

Abstract: The invention provides contrast agents for optical imaging of endometriosis in patients. The contrast agent may be used in diagnosis of endometriosis, for follow-up of progress in disease development, and for follow-up of treatment of endometriosis. Further, the invention provides methods for optical imaging of endometriosis. The contrast agent has affinity for an abnormally expressed target associated with endometriosis. By abnormally expressed, is meant that the target is either overexpressed or downregulated. Endometriotic tissue containing a downregulated target may be identified by a low amount of bound contrast agent compared to normal tissue. In this situation, the amount of contrast agent should be less than 50% of that in normal tissue, preferably less than 10%.

Abstract: The invention provides contrast agents for optical imaging of colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients. The contrast agents may be used in diagnosis of CRC, for follow up of progress in disease development, and for follow up of treatment of CRC. Further, the invention provides methods for optical imaging of CRC in patients.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, comprising a suspension in an aqueous carrier liquid of a reporter comprising gas-containing or gas-generating material, said agent being capable of forming at least two types of binding pairs with a target.

Abstract: Ultrasonic visualisation of a subject, particularly of perfusion in the myocardium and other tissues, is performed using novel gas-containing contrast agent preparations which promote controllable and temporary growth of the gas phase in vivo following administration and can therefore act as deposited perfusion tracers. The preparations comprise an injectable aqueous medium comprising dispersed gas and an injectable oil-in-water emulsion in which the oil phase comprises a diffusible component capable of diffusion in vivo into the dispersed gas to promote temporary growth thereof, such that material present at the surfaces of the dispersed gas phase and material present at the surfaces of the dispersed oil phase have affinity for each other, e.g. as a result of having opposite charges.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, having reporters comprising gas-filled microbubbles stabilised by monolayers of film-forming surfactants, the reporter being coupled or linked to at least one vector.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, comprising a suspension in an aqueous carrier liquid of a reporter comprising gas-containing or gas-generating material, said agent being capable of forming at least two types of binding pairs with a target.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition of matter of the formula (I): V-L-R, where V is a vector moiety having affinity for an angiogenesis-related endothelias cell receptor, L is a linker moiety or a bond and R is a detectable moiety, characterised in that V is a non-peptidic organic group, or V is peptidic and R is a macromolecular or particulate species providing a multiplicity of labels detectable in in vivo imaging.