IMAGING4DRUGS
IMAGING4DRUGS – Integrated infrastructure for drug development
The IMAGING4DRUGS project is building an integrated infrastructure for molecular imaging, omics and data analysis to improve drug development. By measuring how medicines behave in the body and at the cellular level, the infrastructure helps researchers make better-informed decisions about dosing, efficacy and safety at an earlier stage. This can reduce uncertainty, accelerate development and increase the chances of bringing safe and effective treatments to patients. The project is part of PharmaNL’s Shared Development Infrastructure (SDI) program and is funded by ZonMw.
The project is led by Prof. Dr. Rudolf Fehrmann (University Medical Center Groningen, UMCG) and brings together expertise in nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, clinical pharmacy, cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, pathology and laboratory medicine. The infrastructure connects existing expertise and facilities and provides a central point of access for both academic and private partners.
The infrastructure consists of seven interconnected components: a central access point for advice and coordination, expanded tracer development and production, advanced optical imaging, standardized and scalable biosampling, integrated molecular measurements for tissue analysis, secure data storage and computing capacity, and AI-driven analysis pipelines that link imaging, molecular and dosing data. Together, these components create an accessible infrastructure for faster and safer drug development.
IMAGING4DRUGS is designed to support both large and small academic and private partners, giving them access to advanced imaging, omics and data analysis technologies. The project also builds on collaborations with initiatives and partners including iPsomics, IMED and LIFE Cooperative. By combining expertise and facilities, the infrastructure can help accelerate innovation and enable future research questions to be addressed more efficiently.
The infrastructure will remain available after the project ends, creating a lasting resource for drug development in the Netherlands. By providing shared access to advanced technologies and expertise, IMAGING4DRUGS contributes to a stronger and more efficient pharmaceutical ecosystem and can help bring safe and effective treatments to patients sooner.
Objective
To develop and sustainably maintain an integrated infrastructure for molecular imaging, omics and data analysis, enabling more efficient, better-informed and safer drug development.