Resonance to provide FerriScan to US research institutes

Resonance Health Analysis Services (RHAS), a subsidiary of Perth-based Resonance Health (ASX:RHT) and formerly known as Inner Vision Biometrics, has agreed to provide its FerriScan diagnostic test to the New England Research Institutes (NERI) for use in its clinical studies.

The FerriScan test non-invasively measures the iron content of the liver, and can be used to detect and treat iron overload disorders including thalassaemia and hereditary haemochromatosis using specifically configured MRI machines. Scan data is analysed at a centralised RHAS image processing centre using proprietary software.

Under the agreement FerriScan will be used by approximately 13 leading clinical sites in the US over the next four years to measure liver iron levels in patients with beta-thalassemia. RHAS is also in negotiation with several sites in Europe.

The information provided by FerriScan will assist clinicians to determine the effects of iron overload on organ injury (including the heart), along with enabling the efficacy of new therapies for beta-thalassemia to be monitored. The work will be undertaken on behalf of the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network (TCRN).

Beta-thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder and a very severe and debilitating form of anaemia, resulting in iron overload due to the requirement for frequent blood transfusions.

Resonance MD James Williams said "This is significant for Resonance as the sites are 13 of the best in the world. For the first time patients have a choice between biopsy and FerriScan and this means the clinicians are recongnising that FerriScan is as good as biopsy to measure liver iron levels. As leaders in their field they will gain first-hand experience in the application of FerriScan to patients with thalassemia and there is also the potential for its use in the broader management of other iron loaded patients under their care and in turn the ongoing adoption of the technology."

Earlier this month Resonance Health announced the signing of a service agreement with Swiss Pharmaceutical company Novartis.