Aurovist - 1.9 nm (1102-GRP)

AuroVist™ is a novel nanotechnology agent, the first of its kind, which enables greatly enhanced x-ray imaging of blood vessels, the kidneys, tumors, and other organs. It consists of 1.9 nm gold nanoparticles (gold core diameter) with a highly water soluble organic shell making the particles both useable at high concentrations (up to 1.5 g Au/cc) and well tolerated by animals even at high concentrations (LD50 > 1.4 g Au/kg). Some of the significant unique features and advantages of AuroVist™ are listed below:

• Longer blood residence time than iodine agents (1.9 nm gold core, ~50,000 Da.).
• High Contrast (> 500 HU initial blood contrast, kidneys >1500 HU).
• Clears through Kidneys. • Low toxicity (LD50 > 1.4 g Au/kg).
• Can be concentrated >4 times that of standard iodine agents (up to 1.5 g Au/cc).
• Permeates angiogenic endothelium of tumors.
• Up to 10 times the contrast of standard iodine agents (Gold absorbs ~3 times more than an equal weight of iodine at 20 and 100 keV and can be ~4 times more concentrated).
• Low osmolality, even at high concentrations.
• Low viscosity, similar to water; easy to inject, even into small vessels.
• Can image using standard MicroCT, clinical CT, planar X-ray, or mammography.
• Enhances radiotherapy dose.

It is particularly useful for MicroCT animal imaging; for example, studies of kidneys, tumors, stroke, atherosclerosis and other vascular conditions.

*not approved for human use.