Xenon MRI Highlighted as Cardiopulmonary Biomarker at ATS 2026

Polarean, a key player in medical imaging, will feature prominently in the American Thoracic Society's (ATS) 2026 programs, showcasing the advancements of Xenon MRI as a cardiopulmonary biomarker. This technology will be highlighted in over 20 presentations during the ATS event, emphasizing its growing role in pediatric lung diseases, treatment response assessments, and pharmaceutical trial endpoints.

The ATS 2026 Respiratory Innovation Summit (RIS) will take place from May 15 to May 16, followed by the ATS International Conference from May 17 to May 20, in Orlando, Florida. Polarean's Chief Business Officer, Alex Dusek, will present on the potential of Xenon MRI to enhance cardiopulmonary drug development, focusing on its application as a quantitative biomarker for visualizing alveolar diffusion and microvascular hemodynamics. This approach is integral to trial enrichment, endpoint development, and early assessment of treatment responses.

Xenon MRI's increased application is further evident in its use for continuous monitoring of cardiopulmonary physiology and in the growing body of research on pediatric and early-life lung diseases. Highlights include presentations by Bastiaan Driehuys, Polarean's Chief Scientific Officer, on noninvasive multidimensional monitoring of pulmonary hypertension and standardized mapping of Xenon frequency shifts in capillary red blood cells.

Christopher von Jako, CEO of Polarean, expressed optimism about the ongoing advancements reflected in this year's ATS presentations. According to von Jako, "We are encouraged by the continued advancement of Xenon MRI across ATS, particularly in the context of cardiopulmonary physiology and its expanding application in pediatric populations."

Polarean’s Xenon MRI platform offers a noninvasive and radiation-free method for evaluating lung ventilation and cardiopulmonary physiology, addressing needs in clinical care and drug development. It includes the use of XENOVIEW, the first and only FDA-approved hyperpolarized Xenon-129 MRI inhaled contrast agent. The safety profile of XENOVIEW is well established, although transient hypoxemia is a recognized potential risk, warranting monitoring during its use.

This technological innovation in MRI enables significant progress in lung imaging by directly assessing lung function and providing insights that traditional methods do not offer. The results of these studies and collaborations will likely contribute valuable information toward the future of respiratory health care and treatment development.

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