Advance Imaging

The "Advance Imaging" consortium operates within the domain of molecular imaging, focusing on enhancing imaging techniques utilized in surgical procedures. Despite the advancements in fluorescence imaging for real-time guidance during surgery, there remains a need for improved specificity in camera systems and contrast agents. This consortium, comprising multidisciplinary experts from two research groups and surgeons at VUB/UZBrussel, aims to innovate imaging technologies for diverse applications in life sciences, healthcare, and beyond.

With a vision to surpass human visual capabilities using advanced sensor systems and biological contrast enhancement, their mission is to advance imaging technologies and their applications. Building on previous achievements and patent applications, the group targets further technological readiness of fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLT) technology and the clinical translation of fluorescent nanobodies.  

The ultimate goals include the establishment of a spin-off company to commercialize FLT technology and to bring fluorescence nanobodies into the clinic for medical applications, particularly in cancer treatment, thus contributing to improved surgical outcomes and personalized medicine while fostering growth within the medical imaging sector in Belgium. 

Imaging Techniques

Imaging techniques applied in the operating room are intended to assist surgeons during operations. They can help in marking tissues to be removed and tissues to be preserved, or in characterizing suspicious lesions, resulting in personalized treatments with better outcomes (improved survival, less morbidity, better quality of life). In the past decade, fluorescence imaging has shown its ability to provide real-time information during surgery. However, there is still much room for improvement in this evolving field, as current camera systems and contrast agents lack the required specificity. 

Research groups

The 'Advance Imaging' consortium promotes multidisciplinary and innovation-focused collaboration among (bio)medical scientists, engineers, and medical doctors from three prominent VUB/UZBrussel research groups. It continues the successful collaboration between the ETRO group, led by Prof. Maarten Kuijk and Dr. Hans Ingelberts, and the MITH group (formerly known as ICMI) led by Prof. Sophie Hernot. The consortium is strengthened through the alliance with the Surgery department of UZBrussel, represented by Dr. Ellen van Eetvelde and Dr. Jasper Stijns.  

Currently, the combined group consists of approx. 20 researchers building. In the last 7 years, 2 patent applications have been approved and a further 2 have been submitted. 

Aim(s)

• We aim to leverage collective expertise to advance imaging technologies and their practical applications in life sciences, healthcare, medical research, and beyond.
• We aim to advance the technological readiness and implement FLT technology and fluorescent nanobodies in concrete applications. (In our previous program "NLITE," we laid the technological groundwork).
• We aim to strengthen and leverage new imaging technologies where we see potential.
• We aim to enter the clinical and surgical translational research with the lead fluorescence nanobody that has been developed, as well as develop the early proof-of-concepts, for the FLT technology. 

Vision and mission

• Vision: Exceeding human visual capabilities using advanced sensor systems, biological contrast enhancement, and computer processing offers significant innovation potential in fields such as the medical sector, industry, research, consumer products, robotics, and more.
• Mission: Advancing imaging technologies and associated applications in life sciences, healthcare, medical research, and beyond

Purpose and impact

We aim to proceed the FLT technologies into a life sciences-oriented spin-off company that will build on the FLT technology, and its medical applications developed by Advance Imaging, in the foreseeable future.

Strong results, of the clinical translation of the lead fluorescence nanobody into a phase I/IIa study, will provide the business case for further valorization and investments. This track opens the route for the better treatment of cancer by enabling better surgical treatment, as well open more options for personalized medicine tracks for patients. With commercialization in parallel, it offers growth opportunities for employment and employee growth, and in general, will support the medical imaging sector in Belgium.