QUTE-CE MRI, a revolutionary non-invasive imaging technology, is transforming medical diagnostics. This groundbreaking technology, developed by physicist and bioengineer Codi Gharagouzloo during his Ph.D. at Northeastern University, uses a non-toxic iron-oxide-based contrast agent. It produces images ten times better than regular MRI scans with gadolinium and 100 times better without any contrast agent.
Revolutionizing Medical Diagnostics with QUTE-CE MRI
Gharagouzloo’s journey began in 2011 with a vision to cure cancer using nanoparticles. Inspired by the potential of nanomedicine, which focuses on molecular-level medical interventions, he initially researched using MRI to study iron oxide nanoparticles for cancer treatment. Under the mentorship of Srinivas Sridhar, director of the Nanomedicine Innovation Center at Northeastern, Gharagouzloo aimed to understand the enhanced permeability and retention effect in tumor tissues.
However, he soon realized that successful nanoparticle drug delivery required specific targeting based on molecular biology, not just physics. This led him to innovate a new approach: enhancing MRI scans to provide quantitative data on internal tissues and organs by measuring blood vessels. These diagnostics are crucial for precision medicine, which focuses on personalized disease evaluation and treatment plans.
After six months of mastering MRI physics and dedicating 12 years to research, Gharagouzloo reached the commercialization phase of his technology. Northeastern University provided essential resources, including MRI scanner access and support from Craig Ferris, director of the Center for Translational NeuroImaging.
In July 2018, Gharagouzloo co-founded Imaginostics with his wife Valerie, a Northeastern Law School graduate and former immigration lawyer, now the company’s COO, and angel investor Mike Lawson. Together, they introduced QUTE-CE MRI, aiming to revolutionize healthcare by enabling early detection of complex diseases and replacing the standard use of toxic contrast agents.
The Gharagouzloos believe QUTE-CE MRI will reshape healthcare by making early and precise disease detection accessible to diagnostic facilities worldwide. This technology not only provides clinical endpoints for pharmaceutical advancements but also improves patient outcomes through early diagnosis and personalized treatment plans.
