Imagion Biosystems — Nanoparticle-based imaging technology

Imagion Biosystems — Nanoparticle-based imaging technology

Imagion Biosystems focuses on the development of new medical imaging techniques using magnetic nanoparticles to identify and diagnose cancer. The company aims to disrupt the cancer diagnosis market, which it estimates is worth US$100bn annually, with its non-invasive and non-radioactive MagSense imaging platform. Imagion’s technology is in Phase I trials for the detection of HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer. In 2019, the FDA awarded the MagSense platform Breakthrough Device status, offering a potentially faster time to market.

Harry Shrives

Written by

Harry Shrives

Associate Analyst

Imagion Biosystems

Nanoparticle-based imaging technology

Healthcare

QuickView

17 January 2022

Price

A$0.073

Market cap

A$82m

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Share details

Code

IBX

Listing

ASX

Shares in issue

1.12bn

Business description

Imagion Biosystems’ platform, MagSense, uses antibody-linked iron oxide nanoparticles to locate and image tumours. The technology is currently in Phase I trials to image HER2 metastatic breast cancer and has been awarded Breakthrough Device status by the FDA. While the platform is only at an early stage, Imagion aims to expand it into prostate and ovarian cancer.

Bull

Large market (US$100bn) for cancer diagnostics, with potential for use in several indications.

FDA Breakthrough Device designation is positive validation and could decrease time to market.

Last reported cash position (Sept 2021) of A$12.0m after successful raises of a combined A$11m in 2020.

Bear

Early-stage clinical development correlates to higher R&D risks.

So far trial progress has been very slow, which could continue in future phases.

A viable commercialisation strategy will rely on approval in multiple indications.

Analysts

Harry Shrives

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Jacob Thrane

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Imagion Biosystems focuses on the development of new medical imaging techniques using magnetic nanoparticles to identify and diagnose cancer. The company aims to disrupt the cancer diagnosis market, which it estimates is worth US$100bn annually, with its non-invasive and non-radioactive MagSense imaging platform. Imagion’s technology is in Phase I trials for the detection of HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer. In 2019, the FDA awarded the MagSense platform Breakthrough Device status, offering a potentially faster time to market.

Superparamagnetism and magnetic relaxometry

The MagSense platform uses the phenomenon of nanoparticle superparamagnetism combined with a technique known as magnetic relaxometry to determine whether iron oxide nanoparticles are present in a biological target. Imagion’s platform takes PrecisionMRX nanoparticles and coats them with tumour-specific antibodies so that, when injected into a patient, they bind to the tumour. The magnetic field of bound nanoparticles ‘relaxes’ slower than those not bound, which can be detected by the MagSense equipment to identify the presence of a tumour and pinpoint its location.

A safer alternative

Unlike positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT), X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, PrecisionMRX iron oxide nanoparticles are non-radioactive and non-toxic. The MagSense detector uses no ionising radiation and is non-invasive, offering considerable safety advantages over these commonly used imaging techniques. Imagion has identified an opportunity in the cancer diagnostic market for highly sensitive tumour imaging techniques that avoid the use of ionising radiation or radioactive tracers. In validation of this need, MagSense was awarded FDA Breakthrough Device status in 2019.

Other tumour types key to development

After significant delays, the company’s MagSense technology is currently in Phase I trials for the detection of HER2 metastatic breast cancer, using Herceptin as the targeting antibody. The trial aims to enrol 12–15 individuals across four sites in Australia in 2022 to test the clinical safety and tolerability of the process. Given the existing body of evidence for iron oxide as a non-toxic agent and the non-ionising nature of the imaging, we do not expect any issues in Phase I safety studies. Key to Imagion’s development plan is approval in other cancer types and demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity. To this end, the company aims to develop targeted imaging techniques for prostate and ovarian cancers and has recently signed a deal with Patrys (ASX:PAB) allowing the use of the latter’s deoxymab platform to target and image brain tumours. This deal has the potential to end in an exclusive licence agreement for the deoxymab platform and represents further external validation for Imagion’s MagSense technology.

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Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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This report has been prepared and issued by Edison. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

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No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2022 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

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Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

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This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

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Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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