Polarean Imaging (POLX) , a leader in advanced MRI lung imaging technology, announced a new supply agreement with University of Virginia Health to deliver full clinical Xenon MRI capabilities, advancing its US commercial footprint. Polarean is best known for its proprietary Xenon MRI technology XENOVIEW, which uses hyperpolarised Xenon Xe-129 to illuminate hidden lung diseases non-invasively.
UVA Health, the site of the first MRI scan using hyperpolarised Xenon MRI, is an existing Polarean customer. In 2024, Polarean upgraded UVA Health's two research-grade hyperpolarisers to clinical-grade systems and supplied the necessary equipment to enable clinical Xenon MRI scans in its imaging facilities.
Christopher von Jako, CEO of Polarean, commenting: "We are delighted to support UVA Health as they prepare to launch their first clinical Xenon MRI scan, anticipated to occur later this year. Their deep and sustained commitment to advancing pulmonary imaging - from early research breakthroughs to today's clinical transition - perfectly aligns with Polarean's mission to provide critical imaging solutions for chronic lung disease.
UVA Health's decades-long leadership in Xenon MRI has been instrumental in shaping the field, and we look forward to continuing our partnership to improve lung health for patients everywhere."
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Another contract win for Polarean from medical imaging pioneer UVA Health where POLX previously installed two clinical-grade Xenon MRI systems. UVA Health made history in 1996 as the site of the world's first human lung scan using Xenon MRI technology. Today, the institution is transitioning to clinical scanning, with Polarean continuing to support under the new supply agreement.
Polarean's technology promises to revolutionise medical imaging with the ability to illuminate hidden diseases non-invasively, enabling early intervention. The radiation-free method is now FDA-approved in the US, targeting a significant unmet medical need of 42 million suffering from chronic respiratory disease.
For further context, UVA is famous for its health care centre that contains the world-renowned Comprehensive Cancer Center and UVA Health Children's - the leading pediatric hospital in Virginia. Its Hyperpolarized Xenon MRI Center faculty pioneered applications for a variety of lung diseases, including asthma, cystic fibrosis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
UVA Health's research programme was recently strengthened by a $7.4m US NIH grant, awarded to evaluate lung transplant rejection and abnormalities in the lungs of e-cigarette users using Xenon MRI, focusing on improving diagnosis and treatment monitoring. The funding should translate to more business for UVA Health's contractors, including Polarean.
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