The present invention relates to a method for preparing a pharmaceutical formulation of lanthanide chelate in powder form, wherein the powder constitutes a mol/mol excess of free chelate of between 0.002 and 0.4%.

Described herein is a contrast agent for administration to a subject. The contrast agent includes a targeting portion that includes a hydrazide functional group; a metal ion bound to a metal-complexable portion; and a linker joining the targeting portion and the metal-complexable portion of the contrast agent. The portion that is not bound to a metal ion localizes the contrast agent to necrotic tissue in the subject.

The present invention relates to a method of removal of metal ion impurities, such as calcium, from lanthanide metal complexes of macrocyclic chelators. The method uses a scavenger resin to remove metal ions, displaced from chelator, by an excess of lanthanide ions. Also provided is a method of preparation of MRI contrast agents, from the purified lanthanide metal complex, by the addition of a defined excess chelator.

Targeted molecular imaging agents (TMIAs) are derived from coupling together pre-formed amino acids with imaging agents attached to their side chains. These peptide-based imaging agents may be synthesized from a single or multiple preformed amino acids containing multi-modal, multi-chelated metal, multi-dye imaging agents, or combinations of these, on the side chains of resultant peptides. These imaging amino acids or peptides may be conjugated directly, or activated, or attached to linkers to which targeting groups, such as peptides, proteins, antibodies, aptamers, or small molecule inhibitors, may be conjugated in the final steps of the synthesis to form a wide variety of TMIAs.

The present invention relates to variable domain of a camelid heavy-chain antibodies directed to amyloid β and conjugates thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of these antibody conjugates for treating or diagnosing disorders mediated by amyloid β deposits.

A method for producing a liquid pharmaceutical preparation which contains a complex consisting of DOTA and gadolinium and a base such as L-lysine or meglumine, includes the following steps: a) An aqueous solution containing free DOTA, free gadolinium and a base such as L-lysine or meglumine is produced. b) The yield of free DOTA and free gadolinium is determined in the solution obtained according to step a). c) Free gadolinium and/or free DOTA is added in order to adjust a stoichiometric excess of free DOTA in the solution. d) The complexation is executed at an increased temperature. e) Additional base such as L-lysine or meglumine is added in order to adjust the pH value. f) The final volume of the preparation is adjusted.

The present invention relates to a method of preparation of formulations of lanthanide metal complexes of macrocyclic chelators which further comprise a small excess of free chelator. The method uses a solid phase-bound scavenger chelator to remove excess lanthanide metal ions, prior to the addition of a defined excess chelator. Also provided is a method of preparation of MRI contrast agents, together with solid-phase bound chelator meglumine salts useful in the methods.

The present invention relates to a method of removal of metal ion impurities, such as calcium, from lanthanide metal complexes of macrocyclic chelators. The method uses a scavenger resin to remove metal ions, displaced from chelator, by an excess of lanthanide ions. Also provided is a method of preparation of MRI contrast agents, from the purified lanthanide metal complex, by the addition of a defined excess chelator.

The present invention relates to a method of preparation of formulations of gadolinium metal complexes of the macrocyclic chelator DOTA, which further comprise a small excess of free DOTA. The method uses controlled conditions such that excess gadolinium is present as a precipitate of gadolinium oxide, with filtration to remove the excess, prior to the addition of a defined excess of DOTA chelator. Also provided is a method of preparation of MRI contrast agents based on Gd-DOTA.

Disclosed is CT or MR contrast agent which comprises a base or carrier scaffold formed of a polyhydroxol compound having a linker to which a Gd-DOTA is covalently bonded. Also disclosed is a method of screening a patient for colon cancer using a CT or MR contrast, which method comprises administering to a patient undergoing screening a compound as above described.