i3 Launches 3-F NIRF-IVUS Imaging Catheter for Coronary Imaging

July 18, 2022—Intravascular Imaging Incorporated (i3) announced the launch of its 3-F NIRF-IVUS near-infrared fluorescence imaging intravascular ultrasound catheter, which was designed in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

According to i3, the NIRF-IVUS catheter was tested in ex vivo human coronary arteries and in vivo in preclinical studies, using the company’s NIRF-IVUS intravascular imaging system.

The company stated that NIRF-IVUS enables visualization of the molecular and cellular details that underline pathophysiologic progression of coronary lesions, arterial dissections, coronary transplant vasculopathy, and fibrin production in unhealed stents.

Farouc Jaffer, MD, an interventional cardiologist at Massachusetts General, commented in i3’s press release, “Through the use of molecular and pathophysiologic imaging we can now visualize plaque inflammation in living subjects simultaneously with IVUS-detected plaque anatomy. Plaque inflammation is a critical driver of coronary and stent events, particularly among patients with high residual plaque inflammation on maximal statin therapy. Thus, it's important to explore new molecular imaging approaches to personalize therapies aimed at preventing a serious, life-threatening cardiac events.”

i3, which was previously funded via federal and foundational grants and industry sponsorship from an imaging manufacturer, is now raising its first equity round, advised the company.

R.Scott Jones, CEO of i3, noted in the press release, “With these extraordinary early preclinical and ex vivo human results, i3 will raise its first equity round, advance its GMP manufacturing and position its device for a pivotal human study and eventual FDA submission. We will market our product as an upgrade to the fast-growing international IVUS marketplace.”