Case Study: Vernalis achieves early CNS dose selection insights with Perceptive imaging

Vernalis - Customer Case Study

Vernalis, a biotech company, needed to determine the correct dosage for a new neurological drug candidate targeting the Adenosine A2A receptor. Their challenge was to efficiently gather early human data to reduce the cost and time required to enter proof-of-concept studies. They partnered with Perceptive, which utilized its science-led clinical imaging and RTSM services to address this.

Perceptive implemented an adaptive study design, running a PET imaging study in parallel with Vernalis's single ascending dose trial. Using a suitable PET ligand manufactured to GMP standards, Perceptive measured receptor occupancy in the brain against plasma drug concentration. The data clearly showed the drug crossed the blood-brain barrier and engaged the target, enabling Vernalis to confidently advance the drug. This quantitative imaging data provided by Perceptive directly determined the optimal dose for patient efficacy studies, significantly reducing the number of doses tested and saving considerable time and money.

Vernalis