A novel PET imaging agent for tau in Alzheimer’s disease

MK-6240 is an investigational Tau PET tracer in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Preliminary data suggests that it has low prevalence of off-target binding in early tau deposition.1–5

18F-MK-6240 is believed to target tau tangles in the brain

MK-6240 is a high-affinity PET tracer being studied for the paired helical filaments of tau in Alzheimer’s disease. This next-generation PET imaging agent is optimized to help detect early tau deposition, a hallmark biomarker used to diagnose and stage patients with AD.6, 7

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90+

active clinical trials

20K+

scans performed

39

qualified production manufacturing facilities in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia

10+

pharmaceutical partners with therapeutic candidates in development

Data as of January 2024

How we help accelerate Alzheimer’s research

Lantheus manages all aspects of the MK-6240 production, supply chain and data analytics. This rigorous oversight helps ensure seamless incorporation of our novel imaging biomarker.

 We provide:

  • Technical operations expertise
  • A robust, worldwide GMP production and distribution network 
  • Timely and thorough communication with regulatory authorities to ensure compliance
  • Prompt and reliable customer support 
  • Unique opportunities to collaborate with leading AD researchers

Premier production worldwide

An international manufacturing and distribution network produces MK-6240 using stringent quality standards that meet the requirements of clinical trials. We are continuing to expand global access to this investigational Tau PET imaging agent to address the needs of our academic and industry partners.

Map of international Cerveau locations

  • Qualified for Production
  • Sites Under Development
  • Planned Sites

Partnering for progress

At Lantheus Cerveau, our passion is to Find, Fight and Follow® disease to deliver better patient outcomes. We’re committed to partnering with Alzheimer’s researchers in academia and the pharmaceutical industry.

  • Roche

We are actively partnering with researchers across the globe to provide this novel, investigational tau PET imaging agent as a preferred biomarker in AD studies

Let’s Connect

This product candidate is an investigational drug that has not yet been approved as safe and effective.

References:

  1. Pascoal TA, Benedet AL, Tudorascu DL, Therriault J, Mathotaarachchi S, Savard M, Lussier FZ, Tissot C, Chamoun M, Kang MS, Stevenson J, Massarweh G, Guiot MC, Soucy JP, Gauthier S, Rosa-Neto P. Longitudinal 18F-MK-6240 tau tangles accumulation follows Braak stages. Brain. 2021 Dec 16;144(11):3517-3528. doi: 10.1093/brain/awab248. PMID: 34515754; PMCID: PMC8677534.
  2. Pascoal TA, Shin M, Kang MS, Chamoun M, Chartrand D, Mathotaarachchi S, Bennacef I, Therriault J, Ng KP, Hopewell R, Bouhachi R, Hsiao HH, Benedet AL, Soucy JP, Massarweh G, Gauthier S, Rosa-Neto P. In vivo quantification of neurofibrillary tangles with [18F]MK-6240. Alzheimers Res Ther. 2018 Jul 31;10(1):74. doi: 10.1186/s13195-018-0402-y. PMID: 30064520; PMCID: PMC6069775.
  3. Bourgeat P, Doré V, Fripp J, Ames D, Masters CL, Salvado O, Villemagne VL, Rowe CC; AIBL research group. Implementing the centiloid transformation for 11C-PiB and β-amyloid 18F-PET tracers using CapAIBL. Neuroimage. 2018 Dec;183:387-393. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.08.044. Epub 2018 Aug 18. PMID: 30130643.
  4. Betthauser TJ, Cody KA, Zammit MD, Murali D, Converse AK, Barnhart TE, Stone CK, Rowley HA, Johnson SC, Christian BT. In vivo characterization and quantification of neurofibrillary tau PET radioligand 18F-MK-6240 in humans from Alzheimer disease dementia to young controls. J Nucl Med. 2019 Jan;60(1):93-99. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.118.209650. Epub 2018 May 18. PMID: 29777006; PMCID: PMC6354223.
  5. Pascoal TA, Therriault J, Benedet AL, Savard M, Lussier FZ, Chamoun M, Tissot C, Qureshi MNI, Kang MS, Mathotaarachchi S, Stevenson J, Hopewell R, Massarweh G, Soucy JP, Gauthier S, Rosa-Neto P. 18F-MK-6240 PET for early and late detection of neurofibrillary tangles. Brain. 2020 Sep 1;143(9):2818-2830. doi: 10.1093/brain/awaa180. PMID: 32671408.
  6. Lohith TG, Bennacef I, Vandenberghe R, Vandenbulcke M, Salinas CA, Declercq R, Reynders T, Telan-Choing NF, Riffel K, Celen S, Serdons K, Bormans G, Tsai K, Walji A, Hostetler ED, Evelhoch JL, Van Laere K, Forman M, Stoch A, Sur C, Struyk A. Brain imaging of Alzheimer dementia patients and elderly controls with 18F-MK-6240, a PET tracer targeting neurofibrillary tangles. J Nucl Med. 2019 Jan;60(1):107-114. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.118.208215. Epub 2018 Jun 7. PMID: 29880509.
  7. Aksman LM, Oxtoby NP, Scelsi MA, Wijeratne PA, Young AL, Alves IL, Collij LE, Vogel JW, Barkhof F, Alexander DC, Altmann A; ADNI. A data-driven study of Alzheimer’s disease related amyloid and tau pathology progression. Brain. 2023 Dec 1;146(12):4935-4948. doi: 10.1093/brain/awad232. PMID: 37433038; PMCID: PMC10690020.