April 19, 2004: TORONTO, CANADA and WORCESTER, MA: VisualSonics Inc. is pleased to announce that it is sponsoring and presenting its Vevo 660™ high-resolution in vivo imaging system for small animal cancer research at the “Small Animal Imaging for Cancer Research” Workshop at the University of Massachusetts. The sold-out workshop will be held from April 19 – 21, 2004.
“With the growing use of in vivo imaging for cancer phenotyping of small animals, we applaud the leadership that the University of Massachusetts has taken in developing this Workshop and VisualSonics is pleased to sponsor and present our Vevo 660™ imaging system,” said Tom Little, CEO of VisualSonics Inc. “We believe that with the utility of high-resolution ultrasound to view and quantify orthotopic and subcutaneous tumors in mice and rats — in vivo — to detect apoptosis, to visualize vasculature in and around tumors and to monitor the effectiveness of therapeutics in longitudinal studies, the rapid adoption of high-resolution ultrasound will continue within the preclinical marketplace. We fully support U Mass’s strategy of helping scientists better understand the utility of in vivo imaging through hands-on demonstrations of the modalities.” As part of the 3-day Workshop, scientists will have the opportunity to hear lectures presented from subject matter experts representing six major imaging modalities (high-resolution ultrasound, small animal magnetic resonance imaging, optical, microSPECT/microCT and microPET) for small animal imaging for cancer research. The 50-some attendees will then rotate through four 4-hour in vivo demonstrations, having the ability to observe and participate in imaging sessions of mice with five of the modalities.
“We are pleased to provide the forum to bring together leading authorities and scientists along with the preclinical imaging industry leaders in an intensive and scientifically-focused workshop”, said Dr. Don Hnatowich, Professor, Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School. “The fact that the course is oversubscribed – from delegates traveling globally as well as across North America – reflects the growing interest for in vivo imaging as a key component to small animal research studies of cancer and other diseases.”
About University of Massachusetts Medical School
The University of Massachusetts Medical School, the State’s only public academic health center, opened its doors in 1970 and its teaching hospital in 1976 with a stated mission of serving the people of the Commonwealth through excellence in health sciences, education, clinical care, research and public service. The academic center includes the Medical School, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Graduate School of Nursing and Graduate Medical Education. The medical center is one of the fastest growing medical schools in the country and has built a reputation as a world-class research institute consistently producing advances in clinical and basic research. The University of Massachusetts Medical School is ranked among the nation’s top five primary care training sites, and attracts over $143 million in research funding annually.
The merger of the University of Massachusetts Medical Center with Memorial Hospital in April 1998, formed UMass Memorial Health Care, an integrated system covering the complete health care continuum with teaching hospitals, affiliated community hospitals, freestanding primary care practices, ambulatory outpatient clinics, a long-term care facility, home health agency, rehabilitation group and mental health services. UMass Memorial is the clinical partner of the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
About VisualSonics
VisualSonics Inc. (www.visualsonics.com) is the leading manufacturer of high-resolution in vivo imaging systems for small animal research. VisualSonics’ Vevo 660™ high-resolution imaging system provides real-time visualization and measurement of anatomical and hemodynamic function in small animals down to 30 microns. Because of the non-invasive nature of the technology, longitudinal studies of the same animal can be performed. This high-resolution imaging technology is being successfully applied to phenotypic-based research applications such as developmental biology, cardiovascular research, cancer biology, neurobiology and preclinical drug discovery.
VisualSonics Contact:
Tom Little
President and CEO, VisualSonics Inc.
VisualSonics Inc.
Tel. 416.484.5010
Cell. 416.580.5032
Email tlittle@visualsonics.com
Web www.visualsonics.com
University of Massachusetts Contact:
D. J. Hnatowich, Ph.D.
Professor, Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Tel: (508) 856-4256
Fax: (508) 856-4572
Email: donald.hnatowich@umassmed.edu