Quantum BioPharma Announces First Person with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Scanned in Joint Study with Massachusetts General Hospital
- Novel PET imaging technique shows promise in monitoring MS treatment effectiveness
- Partnership with prestigious Massachusetts General Hospital strengthens research credibility
- Technology could potentially accelerate development and validation of company's MS drug Lucid-21-302
- Previous studies of [18F]3F4AP showed favorable results in both animals and humans
- Study is still in early stages with only first patient scanned
- No direct evidence yet of technology's effectiveness in measuring drug responses
- Uncertain timeline for validation and implementation of the imaging technique
Insights
Quantum's MS imaging study with MGH could improve efficacy testing for their investigational drug Lucid-21-302 through enhanced demyelination monitoring.
Quantum BioPharma has reached a significant milestone in its joint clinical study with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) by completing the first PET scan of a multiple sclerosis patient using the novel tracer [18F]3F4AP. This advancement is particularly meaningful as it potentially establishes a critical biomarker pathway for the company's investigational MS drug Lucid-21-302 (Lucid-MS).
The study utilizes MGH's newly installed combined GE Signa PET-MR scanner, which allows simultaneous PET and MRI imaging. This technology represents a significant improvement over traditional sequential scanning by enhancing spatial and temporal coregistration while reducing patient scan time. Previous studies have already shown that the [18F]3F4AP tracer demonstrates high sensitivity to demyelinated lesions with favorable pharmacokinetics.
The real value proposition here is the potential creation of a more precise methodology for measuring drug efficacy in MS treatments. Current MS drug development faces significant challenges in accurately quantifying remyelination or neuroprotection. If validated, this imaging technique would provide Quantum with a competitive advantage in demonstrating the efficacy of Lucid-21-302 through objective, measurable outcomes rather than relying solely on clinical symptoms or conventional MRI techniques that have limitations in detecting repair.
While this represents an early-stage development, the collaboration with MGH and Dr. Brugarolas (Harvard Medical School) adds significant credibility to Quantum's research approach. The successful implementation of this imaging biomarker could potentially accelerate the clinical development timeline for Lucid-21-302 by providing earlier signals of efficacy and more precise endpoints for clinical trials.
Joint Clinical Study with Massachusetts General Hospital Could Pave the Way for Testing Efficacy of Quantum’s Investigational MS drug, Lucid-21-302
TORONTO, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quantum BioPharma Ltd. (NASDAQ: QNTM) (CSE: QNTM) (FRA: 0K91) (“Quantum BioPharma” or the “Company”), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to building a portfolio of innovative assets and biotech solutions, announces that the first person with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been scanned in a joint study with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) scientists to validate a novel positron emission tomography (PET) imaging technique to monitor myelin integrity and demyelination in MS. The study is evaluating the PET tracer [18F]3F4AP, which was developed by Dr. Pedro Brugarolas, an investigator in the department of Radiology at MGH and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. In previous studies in animals and humans, [18F]3F4AP was found to be highly sensitive to demyelinated lesions and have favourable pharmacokinetics, suggesting that it holds promise as a biomarker to monitor changes in demyelination in response to remyelinating or neuroprotective drugs in MS.
The PET scan in the person with MS was performed on a newly installed combined GE Signa PET-MR scanner at MGH. This scanner allows for the PET [18F]3F4AP imaging signal to be acquired simultaneously with the MRI improving the spatial and temporal coregistration of the PET. In the future, this technique may be highly useful for monitoring, over time, demyelination in central nervous system lesions. This novel biomarker and technique may lead to a more accurate measurement of responses to drugs that prevent demyelination and/or promote remyelination. The new combined PET-MR scanner at MGH also improves the patient experience by reducing the time needed to complete both scans.
“We are excited that the study has started and that we are learning more about the potential of this novel PET biomarker to directly visualize and measure demyelinated axons in the central nervous system,” said Dr. Andrzej Chruscinski, Vice-President, Scientific and Clinical Affairs at Quantum Biopharma. “PET imaging with [18F]3F4AP holds promise as a biomarker to measure the efficacy of drugs that can protect the myelin sheath in MS such as Lucid-21-302 (Lucid-MS).”
Dr. Brugarolas, principal investigator of the study at MGH added, “PET/MR studies are complex and the team at the MGH PET Core has been phenomenal. By employing the latest technologies, we hope to learn more about how [18F]3F4AP PET can enhance MRI for monitoring demyelination and, by doing so, facilitate the development of novel treatments for people with MS.”
About Quantum BioPharma Ltd.
Quantum BioPharma (NASDAQ: QNTM) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to building a portfolio of innovative assets and biotech solutions for the treatment of challenging neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders and alcohol misuse disorders with drug candidates in different stages of development. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Lucid Psycheceuticals Inc. (“Lucid”), Quantum BioPharma is focused on the research and development of its lead compound, Lucid-MS. Lucid-MS is a patented new chemical entity shown to prevent and reverse myelin degradation, the underlying mechanism of multiple sclerosis, in preclinical models. Quantum BioPharma invented unbuzzd™ and spun out its OTC version to a company, Unbuzzd Wellness Inc. (formerly Celly Nutrition Corp.), led by industry veterans. Quantum BioPharma retains ownership of
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FAQ
What is the purpose of Quantum BioPharma's (QNTM) joint study with Massachusetts General Hospital?
How does the new GE Signa PET-MR scanner benefit MS patients in the QNTM study?
What are the previous research findings for Quantum BioPharma's PET tracer [18F]3F4AP?
How could this imaging technology impact Quantum BioPharma's (QNTM) MS drug development?
Who is leading the QNTM-MGH joint study on MS imaging?
