Mass High Tech - March 6, 2007

Merck picks VisEn Medical for imaging agents
Mass High Tech

VisEn Medical Inc. has begun a multiyear research and development program with Merck & Co. Inc. to develop fluorescence imaging agents to image biomarkers.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

VisEn plans to develop the imaging agents for use in Merck's drug discovery programs, which would involve the use of the imaging agents to measure disease progression. The program focuses on imaging biomarkers of cardiovascular disease.

Based in Woburn, VisEn is a venture-backed firm developing fluorescence imaging technology to study diseases related to oncology, inflammation and bone and cardiovascular diseases.