Medical device company Polarean Imaging plc (AIM: POLX) announced on Wednesday that it has signed a trade-in agreement with the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) to replace its existing research hyperpolariser with a new clinical-grade Xenon MRI hyperpolariser system. This upgrade aims to advance KUMC's research in various therapeutic areas, including asthma, cystic fibrosis, long COVID, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease and scleroderma.

KUMC, a leading academic centre in Xenon MRI research, will receive the new FDA-approved system later this year. Polarean will collaborate with KUMC to enhance clinical imaging, NIH-funded research and pharmaceutical-sponsored trials.

Dr Peter Niedbalski, a KUMC researcher, recently secured a grant for a multi-centre study using Xenon MRI to explore structural determinants of low lung function and respiratory symptoms in young adults.

Polarean is revolutionising pulmonary medicine with its FDA-approved hyperpolarised Xenon MRI inhaled contrast agent, XENOVIEW. The company's technology provides non-invasive, radiation-free imaging to assess lung function, addressing the needs of over 500 million chronic respiratory disease patients worldwide. Founded in 2012 and operating from Durham, NC and London, Polarean focuses on developing and commercialising innovative imaging solutions.