On Target Laboratories, Inc. (‘On Target') and Mauna Kea Technologies (MKEA, ‘Mauna Kea') announced a novel clinical research and product development collaboration in the field of molecular image-guided procedures. The collaboration was created to further develop the combined clinical and technological capabilities of both companies, with an initial focus on interventional pulmonology and lung cancer, and the opportunity to expand into additional indications. Lung cancer is the world's leading cause of cancer deaths and its diagnosis remains challenging, despite significant advancements in diagnostic and treatment technologies.

The number of lung nodules identified on chest CTs continues to rise with one study estimating that, in the U.S. alone, nearly 1.6 million people who underwent a chest CT had a pulmonary nodule identified. Determining if a suspicious pulmonary nodule is malignant or benign can be challenging and time-consuming, often requiring multiple biopsy attempts and/or invasive procedures which can result in inconclusive results and complications. One study reported it can take up to 6 months to diagnose a lung nodule and the majority were diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease, underscoring the need for earlier and more accurate diagnoses.

Molecular imaging is a growing field of technology for interventional and surgical procedures to detect cancer cells for easier and more precise visualization. On Target's imaging agents target and bind to cancer cells, providing healthcare professionals with a tool to detect cancer for removal. Mauna Kea's Cellvizio platform provides the ability to image tissues at the cellular level, including the identification of cancer cells through a non-invasive bronchoscopy procedure.

Combining the two technologies has the potential to create a novel category of medical procedures – Molecular Image-guided Procedures (MIP) – which would provide real-time visualization of cancer at the cellular level. The use of MIP during bronchoscopic lung biopsy may improve the diagnostic accuracy of biopsies while reducing the number of procedures, time, and complications associated with obtaining a diagnosis.