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Positron emission tomography (PET)

Advancing PET imaging capabilities for Phase 0-ready studies and translational data generation.






























Exceptional sensitivity. Quantitative accuracy. 

Molecubes PET delivers high sensitivity and quantitative accuracy, enabling precise, reproducible imaging across a wide range of positron-emitting radionuclides. 

This is particularly important in the context of modern radiopharmaceutical development, where robust quantification of biodistribution, target engagement, and pharmacokinetics is essential for de-risking programmes and informing early clinical development and dosimetry strategies. 

The integration of the Molecubes PET system significantly enhances our translational imaging capabilities, strengthening our ability to generate high-quality, clinically relevant data at the interface of discovery, radiopharmaceutical development, and clinical translation. 


Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)






Access for all. Supporting partners working across oncology and emerging non-oncology indications.

The Molecubes PET system provides high-sensitivity, quantitative small-animal imaging designed to support translational radiopharmaceutical development.

Built on a modular detector architecture optimised for positron-emitting radionuclides, the platform delivers excellent sensitivity and spatial resolution, enabling precise and reproducible assessment of biodistribution, target engagement, and pharmacokinetics in mouse and rat models.

The system supports a wide range of commonly used PET isotopes, including ¹⁸F, ⁶⁸Ga, ⁶⁴Cu, and ⁸⁹Zr, making it well suited for both diagnostic and translational theranostic studies.

When integrated with CT for anatomical co-registration, the Molecubes PET platform enables robust quantitative analysis and kinetic modelling workflows, generating high-quality data to inform translational decision-making and early clinical development.


























Data we can provide with PET technology:

  • High-resolution whole-body PET imaging in mice and rats, enabling sensitive detection and clear visualisation of tumour and organ uptake. 
  • Quantitative activity measurements (e.g., %ID/g, SUV) to support robust pharmacokinetic (PK) and biodistribution analysis. 
  • Dynamic imaging with time-activity curves (TACs) for key organs and tumours to inform uptake, clearance kinetics, and residence time calculations. 
  • Longitudinal PET imaging datasets enabling repeat-dose studies and therapy response monitoring within the same animal. 
  • Support for a wide range of PET isotopes (e.g., ¹⁸F, ⁶⁸Ga, ⁶⁴Cu, ⁸⁹Zr), enabling tracking of diagnostic and translational radiotracers. 
  • Tumour-to-organ ratio and SUV-based analysis to support therapeutic window assessment and target specificity. 
  • 3D organ segmentation and co-registered PET/CT datasets for accurate anatomical localisation and quantitative analysis. 
  • Kinetic modelling and parametric imaging outputs to support deeper insight into tracer behaviour and target engagement. 
  • Quantitative inputs to support dosimetry estimation and preclinical-to-clinical translation workflows. 
  • Comparative cohort analysis enabling statistically robust evaluation of tracer design, formulation, or dosing strategy optimisation. 



Benefits of positron emission tomography (PET)












  • High sensitivity imaging – Enables detection of low levels of radiotracer uptake, supporting early-stage studies and low-activity experiments.
  • High spatial resolution – Allows precise localisation of radiotracer distribution in small anatomical structures, improving confidence in tumour and organ-specific analysis.
  • Quantitative accuracy (SUV, %ID/g) – Supports robust activity measurement for biodistribution, pharmacokinetic modelling, and kinetic analysis.
  • Dynamic imaging capability – Enables real-time assessment of tracer uptake and clearance through time-activity curves, supporting detailed kinetic modelling.
  • Multi-isotope flexibility – Compatible with a wide range of PET isotopes (e.g., ¹⁸F, ⁶⁸Ga, ⁶⁴Cu, ⁸⁹Zr), supporting diverse diagnostic and translational imaging strategies.
  • Longitudinal study capability – Allows repeated imaging in the same animal, reducing variability and enabling therapy response and disease progression monitoring.
  • Enhanced target engagement assessment – Provides robust tumour-to-background and SUV-based metrics to support target specificity and therapeutic window evaluation.
  • Integrated PET/CT co-registration – Combines functional and anatomical imaging for accurate localisation, segmentation, and translational modelling workflows.
  • Optimised for small-animal research – High sensitivity detector design supports low-dose imaging and efficient radiotracer evaluation in early discovery.
  • Supports regulatory-aligned translational studies – Generates high-quality quantitative and kinetic data suitable for IND-enabling studies and clinical translation.






“The addition of Molecubes PET strengthens our end-to-end imaging platform, enhances our capability to generate high-quality quantitative and kinetic data, and further positions us at the forefront of radiopharmaceutical translation, delivering greater value to industry, academia, and funding partners.

Enhance your preclinical studies and accelerate decision-making with our advanced quantitative insights from the Molecubes PET system.”

Dr Juliana Maynard, Head of Translational Imaging













See how we have helped innovators


Partnering with the MDC has been transformative for Innate Repair. Their world-class expertise and facilities allowed us to conduct complex oncology experiments quickly, cost-effectively, and to the highest scientific standards. MDC is an exceptional partner for any biotech aiming to accelerate innovation.

Innate Repair

Medicines Discovery Catapult R&D consulting provided Apeikon Therapeutics with clear direction and structured guidance, helping us define a robust product development plan. Their expertise streamlined our vision into actionable steps, accelerating progress and ensuring strategic alignment.

Apeikon Therapeutics

CPSA is an ingenious extension of the target engagement toolbox. It is easier to upscale and control in high throughput screening applications than currently available methods. With exemplary support from MDC we have smoothly incorporated it into our Drug Discovery pipeline.

Selvita

MDC’s R&D consulting has been transformative, refining our HT8457S strategy with scientific rigour, identifying and mitigating risks, and strengthening our business model, significantly enhancing Haiku’s credibility.

Haiku Therapeutics

The partnership with MDC has allowed us to secure multiple Innovate UK grants and utilise capabilities such as state-of-the-art PET, which aren’t available elsewhere.

Alchemab Therapeutics

For the first time, we have been able to generate a map of lung fibrosis in 3D at the tissue scale. Collaborating with MDC has been key to its success. Their expertise has supported the successful integration of state-of-the-art technologies, establishing a valuable new resource for the lung fibrosis community.

University of Southampton

Working with MDC allowed us to visualise drug distribution in the brain with a level of clarity we hadn’t achieved before. Their expertise in DESI-MS and willingness to design a project that met our demands provided powerful insights into diffusion patterns, giving us confidence in our compound’s delivery.

TargTex

We worked with the Mass Spectrometry team at MDC to help set up and run a complex biochemical assay. The project was technically demanding, but the deep expertise, knowledge and collaborative approach allowed the team to troubleshoot the many challenges and successfully deliver a viable approach.

Oppilotech

The team at MDC shares our passion for bringing forward innovative medicines, pioneering new technologies, and operating with data-driven flexibility. They have been integral to our project success and possess unique capabilities to support later-stage candidate selection. A truly valued collaborator and dependable partner.

Artbio

Elasmogen was impressed by the quality and rapid delivery timelines for our radiopharmaceutical dosimetry data. There was good interactivity in this project, and we are happy to recommend this service.

Elasmogen

Our collaboration with Medicines Discovery Catapult will not only enable us to engage with the wider scientific community but will also allow us to unlock the potential of Acoustic Mass Spectrometry within drug discovery.

Innovative Medicines and Early Development (IMED) Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca

It’s been absolutely amazing working with MDC and the team.

LUNAC Therapeutics

MDC supported us in developing a therapeutic for Huntington’s Disease through antibody characterisation, iPSC model development, biodistribution studies, imaging and neurodegenerative expertise.

Alchemab Therapeutics

We worked together with MDC on a very challenging and demanding project. The MDC team’s expertise in MSI, commitment and flexibility were key to a successful collaboration and reaching our objectives.

TargTex

MDC are as involved in our project as the founding team, going above and beyond what I expected. I recommend them to new ventures starting out; even if you don’t know exactly what you need, the team can work with you to achieve some phenomenal results.

KLAS Therapeutics

Working with MDC has provided expertise and intellectual input. It has also enabled access to a wider network of companies providing specialist services.

N4 Pharma

By tapping into MDC’s unique drug development expertise and facilities, we are confident we will accelerate the preclinical development of our drug delivery system and its commercialisation.

Sixfold Bioscience

It has been a pleasure working with MDC as their scientists are pleasant and have a broad range of talents.
Importantly for projects like ours, they openly and professionally exchange ideas with SMi’s scientific team and keep us abreast of their research developments.

SMi Systems

It has been great to access the Artificial Intelligence expertise at Medicines Discovery Catapult.
The team has taken an innovative approach that adds value to our product and will benefit our customers.

BioAscent

As an SME, working with MDC allows us access to scientific know-how and in vivo imaging techniques that would be impossible through any other route. The closeness, timeliness and flexibility of the collaboration significantly accelerated our ability to develop the product.

Xerion Healthcare

We have collaborated with MDC for three years, and it continues to provide valuable and high-quality data on our molecules. MDC’s input has directly impacted operational and strategic decisions for our projects and allowed us to move forward with our clinical studies.

Revolo Biotherapeutics

For early-stage SMEs in this space, I thoroughly recommend engaging with MDC, who have the end-to-end knowledge in complex medicines, can support your in-house team and provide access to key equipment that start-ups may not have.

pHion Therapeutics








Enhance your drug discovery project with positron emission tomography (PET) technology.

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