Impropved pancreatic duct imaging in MR - small market for Secretin

Implications: Pancreatic duct imaging is currently done with a heavily weighted T2 sequence that requires water in the duct for imaging. Increased production of pancreatic juice may make imaging easier. This is however a very small niche market which by itself will not allow survival of RG1068.

Analysis: Pancreatic duct imaging is currently done with a heavily weighted T2 sequence that requires water in the duct for imaging. Increased production of pancreatic juice may make imaging easier. This is however a very small niche market which by itself will not allow survival of RG1068.

MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangio Pancreatico graphy) is usually done with heavily water (T2) weighted sequences. The problem often is to suppress the signal in the stomach and the duodenum to reduce artifact and make separation easier. This can be achieve by drinking iron oxide containing agents. Secretin would increase the production of pancreatic juice and expand the duct. This may increase the distention of the duct in front of a stenosis and overemphasize the blockage. One has to get used to that type of images.

I expect that the agent will not be used very often because plain MR is usually sufficient in demonstrating the duct. And a duct without dilatation is unlikely to have an occlusion or stenosis. Therefore MRCP is already a niche market in MR and will be an even smaller niche market for RG1068. I would not build a business plan on that indication.