Making the indications of Alzheimer’s visible: in Leipzig University Hospital, Dr. Bernd Habermann and Annett Gergaut-Friedrich (left to right) prepare the manufacture of florbetaben in what are known as hot cells. Radiosynthesis of this substance, which enables doctors to detect potential Alzheimer’s triggers in the brains of patients, takes place inside these units.
Cardiovascular disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s are just three of the many conditions of our time that have devastating consequences. Early diagnosis and therapy of these diseases still represent two of the greatest challenges facing scientists and physicians. And despite the major progress being made in their treatment, there is still a huge need for research to, on the one hand, make it possible to diagnose these diseases more effectively and at an earlier stage and, on the other, minimize the consequences for those affected, develop innovative therapies and thus improve patients’ quality of life and prolong their survival.
Research scientists at Bayer HealthCare are therefore working on numerous projects, such as new approaches to cardiovascular diseases, in cancer treatment and in improvements to the diagnostic technology for Alzheimer’s patients. The following articles provide an insight into our research into a new vaccine against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a malignant cancer disorder of the lymph nodes. In addition, Bayer HealthCare’s Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals division and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have entered into what is in Germany a unique
alliance in fundamental and industrial research. Together, they plan to make new diagnostic and therapeutic methods for cancer available more quickly and effectively.
There is also an article about the well-filled research pipeline for the
treatment of heart failure. Bayer scientists are working on a strategy with various active ingredients to tackle this condition, the fastest growing form of heart disease in the world today.
A description of the production process for PET tracers in the final article shows how Bayer’s scientists are winning the race against the clock with a novel
diagnostic method for Alzheimer’s. The technology (photo) helps doctors diagnose this form of dementia in the brain at an early stage.