Imagion Biosystems appoints new VP of clinical research

Nanobiotechnology company Imagion Biosystems has announced the appointment of Dr Farideh Bischoff as its new vice president of clinical research. There, Dr Bischoff will lead the clinical program for MagSense cancer detection technology, working to achieve regulatory approval as a diagnostic device for the early detection of malignant tumour cells.

MagSense technology is based on superparamagnetic relaxometry — the ability to detect the small magnetic field released by tiny nanoparticles after they have been briefly magnetised, ie, when they ‘relax’. Specialised MagSense nanoparticles are coated with tumour-targeting antibodies and can be administered by simple intravenous injection.

The injected nanoparticles circulate through normal blood flow and can bind to the target cell because of the molecular attraction of the antibody. The highly sensitive detectors used in the MagSense instrument allow for the precise localisation of the bound nanoparticles.

Dr Bischoff adds a wealth of relevant experience in oncology product commercialisation to the leadership team at Imagion Biosystems. Her accomplishments include scientific development, regulatory submission and successful commercialisation of molecular diagnostics for Biocept. She has led numerous productive collaborative studies, including the NIFTY NIH Fetal Cell Study, composed of individuals from academic, pharmaceutical and biotech organisations.

Dr Bischoff holds a PhD from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Houston. Her doctoral thesis led to the discovery of the p53 tumour suppressor gene and the emergence of a productive new avenue of global cancer research.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dr Bischoff to Imagion Biosystems as we progress toward first-in-human clinical studies,” said Imagion Executive Chairman and CEO Bob Proulx. “Dr Bischoff has the background and experience to help us move into the clinical setting, an area where she has worked for many years.”

“I’m excited to be joining Imagion Biosystems as the company advances MagSense technology to the first-in-human clinical trial,” said Dr Bischoff. “The role at Imagion enables me to follow my passion for improving the lives of cancer patients. There is a large unmet medical need for earlier detection of malignant tumours.”

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