Grey Matters Health (CSE:GREY, OTCQB:AGNPD, FRA:AGW0) announced that it has appointed radiologist Dr Jayson Lord as medical director of its flagship NovaScan Neuroimaging Clinics location in Davie, Florida, which the company expects to open in September.
Lord will provide medical oversight for clinical operations at the clinic and will be responsible for PET diagnostic brain imaging services, Grey Matters said.
“We are very pleased to have Dr Lord, who is a board-certified, veteran radiologist practicing in Florida, join the NovaScan Neuroimaging team,” Grey Matters CEO Christopher Moreau said.
“Dr Lord will provide the medical oversight for all clinical operations and is responsible for ensuring that all our patients receive the highest quality of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) diagnostic brain imaging services.”
Lord is a board-certified diagnostic radiologist with more than 25 years of experience. He is licensed to practice radiology in 12 US states, including Florida, and has been an owner and partner in several private radiology practices since completing his medical training.
“I am very excited about the significance of NovaScan Neuroimaging being the first in the US to introduce the CareMiBrain system to the market with its seated scan design,” Lord said.
“On an immediate basis, we will be working to provide patients with shorter wait times for brain dedicated PET scans along with a greatly enhanced and optimized patient experience overall.”
The NovaScan clinic will be located at the HCA Florida University Medical Office Building on the campus of HCA Florida University Hospital in Davie. Grey Matters described it as the first U.S. location to provide brain-dedicated PET scans using the CareMiBrain system for applications including the detection of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
The company also highlighted potential uses in frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia, as well as selected neuro-oncology applications.
The CareMiBrain system is a US FDA-cleared seated brain PET scanner that does not require an integrated computed tomography (CT) component to produce images. Grey Matters said the design results in 25% less radiation exposure for patients.
According to the company, brain PET scans used to detect beta-amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance for eligible patients aged 65 and older. Patients are expected to be referred to NovaScan by neurologists, geriatricians and primary care physicians.
Grey Matters also pointed to the growing use of beta-amyloid imaging in Alzheimer’s treatment. The company noted that Leqembi, developed by Eisai and Biogen, and Eli Lilly’s Kisunla require confirmation of beta-amyloid pathology through brain imaging or a spinal tap before eligible patients can receive the treatments.
The company said existing PET scanner capacity in the US is insufficient to meet demand for brain-specific imaging, with many PET/CT systems primarily used for cancer and cardiac imaging. Grey Matters plans to expand the NovaScan Neuroimaging Clinics model into a national US network.
Separately, Grey Matters announced the grant of 885,000 restricted share units to certain executives, employees and directors under its RSU Plan. The company said the units vest on the date of grant, with each RSU entitling the recipient to one common share or a cash payment equivalent to the value of one common share upon vesting.