November 5, 2007 - ImaRx Therapeutics Inc. and Royal Philips Electronics today announced a research collaboration to evaluate Philips ultrasound technology as part of ImaRx’s SonoLysis program to develop new treatment for acute ischemic stroke.
Under the agreement, Philips’ Medical Systems division will provide ultrasound devices and technical assistance to ImaRx during laboratory and preclinical studies. The objective of the collaboration is to determine the optimal ultrasound parameters to use with ImaRx’s proprietary MRX-801 microbubble technology.
Stroke is currently the third leading cause of death, and the leading cause of disability, in the United States. About 3 million Americans are currently disabled from stroke, and the American Stroke Association estimates that about $62.7 billion will be spent in the U.S. in 2007 for stroke-related medical costs. The vast majority of strokes, approximately 87 percent according to the American Stroke Association, are ischemic strokes, meaning that they are caused by blood clots that block normal blood flow in the vessels of the brain. Additionally, Datamonitor reports that less than 6 percent of these ischemic stroke patients receive the thrombolytic drug tPA, the only drug currently approved by the FDA to treat acute ischemic stroke.
The agreement includes a mutual exclusivity clause during the term of the collaboration. Following completion of the research program, Philips and ImaRx will have an exclusive negotiation period to discuss future development and commercialization.
For more information: www.medical.philips.com
July 23, 2024 
