Ion Beam Applications S.A., CMI Inc. and Life Molecular Imaging (LMI) announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health has approved the reimbursement by governmental health insurance of the amyloid Positron Emission Tomography (PET) diagnostic Neuraceq (florbetaben 18F). Amyloid-PET imaging using agents like Neuraceq is used in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive impairment. It detects amyloid plaques in the brain, which are characteristic markers of Alzheimer's disease.

With this approval, Neuraceq is the first amyloid PET diagnostic tool reimbursed in Japan. Neuraceq is produced with IBA's Synthera®?+, a fully automated synthesizer optimized for the production of florbetaben 18F. With the reimbursement of this diagnostic tool, Japanese physicians can use this imaging technology to accurately evaluate their patients with cognitive decline.

The density of amyloid plaques can be assessed to improve an earlier diagnosis, and to further guide therapy and patient management. Amyloid PET, including Neuraceq®?, had a pivotal role in the recent positive clinical study outcomes of new anti-amyloid drugs by making selective inclusion of patients with confirmed amyloid pathology in the brain. Moreover, amyloid clearance was precisely measured with amyloid PET.