IB, the Recognised National Standard in MRI DSC

IQ-AI Ltd

("IQ-AI" or the "Company"

IB Neuro, the Recognised National Standard in MRI DSC

Imaging Biometrics™, LLC (IB), a subsidiary of IQ-AI Limited (LON:IQAI) and the recognised leader in quantitative imaging analysis for brain tumor diagnosis and treatment, today announced that the MRI DSC perfusion technology, first made commercially available in IB Neuro™, earned recognition as the national standard for use in high-grade brain tumors. This recognition was the outcome of the DSC-MRI Standardisation Subcommittee of the Jumpstarting Brain Tumor Drug Development Coalition. The Committee's findings, published in Neuro Oncology (Consensus Recommendations for a DSC MRI Protocol), provide evidence-based best practices for routine clinical use from both an MR acquisition and post-processing perspective. DSC, which stands for dynamic susceptibility contrast, is the most common perfusion MRI technology used for the evaluation of brain tumors. 

This national consensus is long overdue. Despite its widespread use, MRI-DSC imaging has been plagued by inconsistent and suboptimal ways of acquiring and processing DSC-MRI data resulting in mixed opinions regarding its usefulness. Instead, IB Neuro has been honed and developed, over two decades, to account for subtle nuances in data acquisition and post-processing. It is the only MRI-DSC platform that offers truly quantitative output regardless of scanner platform, field strength, or time point and is the only commercial platform validated with tissue biopsy samples by multiple institutions. More recently, a low contrast agent dosing scheme was validated using IB Neuro. This reduced contrast alternative provides excellent agreement with the accepted double-dose protocol and is being adopted by more and more sites.

Standardising on the most common perfusion MRI technology is good news for patients and their care providers. Per the National Brain Tumor Soceity, in the US alone there are over 700,000 people living with a primary brain tumor and another 87,000 will be diagnosed in 2020. Each year these patients will have 4-6 MRI scans. These patients represent the highest initial cost of care for any cancer group, with an annualised average cost of care approaching $150,000 per patient. Standardising on a recommended best imaging practice may help impact these costs.

Michael Schmainda, CEO of IB, added, "We continue to advance our understanding and application in MRI-DSC imaging, and IB Neuro is foundational in that regard. The automated and quantitative processing in IB Neuro is also the default standard for the National Clinical Trials Network and is widely available for routine clinical use".

Trevor Brown CEO of IQ-AI Limited commented "In addition to this excellent news, I am please to report that the process of finding a buyer for Stonechecker software has now recommenced with discussions under way with two parties. There is no certainty of a satisfactory conclusion of these discussions and we will update shareholders as appropriate. The Board is also exploring a new initiative in telemedicine and looking at the wider application of IB technology and products."

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

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ABOUT Imaging Biometrics™, LLC

Imaging Biometrics, a subsidiary of IQ-AI Limited (LON:IQAI), develops and provides visualisation and analytical solutions that enable clinicians to better diagnose and treat disease with greater confidence. Through close collaboration with top researchers and clinicians, sophisticated advancements are translated into platform-independent and automated software plug-ins which can extend the base functionality of workstations, imaging systems, PACS, or medical viewers. By design, IB's advanced visualisation software seamlessly integrates into routine workflows. For more information about Imaging Biometrics, visit the company's website at www.imagingbiometrics.com.