Tau Imaging Tracer and Lightweight PET Scanner May Contribute to Early Screening for Dementia

With Taiwan’s recent approval of two new drugs for Alzheimer’s disease, the nation’s dementia prevention and treatment strategy is undergoing a crucial transformation. At this critical moment, APN LifeSciences, branch of APRINOIA Therapeutics, has developed Tau protein imaging tracer APN-1607, which has been adopted by international pharmaceutical companies such as Biogen and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), and is currently under regulatory review in Taiwan. The combination of the APN-1607 imaging tracer with a lightweight, brain-dedicated PET scanner paves the way for large-scale early dementia screening!

Tau Protein: The Gold Standard for Early Diagnosis

Dr. Ming-Kuei Jang, founder of APRINOIA and APN LifeSciences, emphasizes, “Tau protein is the gold standard for early diagnosis. Compared to amyloid beta protein, which may accumulate before symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease appear, the presence of Tau protein is highly associated with nerve damage and disease progression, making it a critical biomarker for determining whether treatment should be started.”

APRINOIA’s APN-1607 imaging tracer enables the visualization of Tau protein accumulation in the brain, helping clinical doctors accurately determine stage of disease and optimal treatment timing. It is expected to play a key role in early detection of dementia and treatment evaluation.

Dr. Jung-Lung Hsu, President of the Taiwan Dementia Society, explained that a major limitation in current Alzheimer’s diagnosis is relying on questionnaires and clinical criteria, which can only suggest that a patient is “very likely” to have Alzheimer’s. He stated, “Biomarkers are essential for confirming Alzheimer’s disease, and accurate diagnosis is critical to determine whether a patient is suitable for the new treatment drugs which may slow disease progression.”

Leveraging Lightweight PET Scanners to Make Large Scale Early Screening Available

Currently, the number of PET scanners in Taiwan is limited, and most of them are servicing cancer patients. The lightweight, brain-dedicated PET scanner developed in Japan has not only received approval from the Japanese government but can also be installed on mobile buses for tour medical examinations, making early screening accessible even in remote and aging communities.

Dr. Jang further noted that by combining the APN-1607 imaging agent with lightweight PET scanners, as well as incorporating AI image interpretation and cloud-based data centers, "we can build a global brain health surveillance network and realize the vision of early detection and early treatment.

Dementia Epidemiology Data: An Alarming Wake-Up Call

According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare statistics from 2024, the dementia prevalence rate among seniors over 65 is as high as 7.99%, meaning nearly 8 out of every 100 elderly individuals are suffered from dementia. It is projected that by 2031, the dementia population will exceed 470,000, and by 2061, could reach 880,000, placing a heavy burden on families, healthcare finances, and society as a whole.

Dr. Chiung-Chih Chang, Deputy Director of the Department of Neurology at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, highlighted from a clinical perspective that both differential diagnosis and treatment decisions require more precise biomarkers to assist physicians. The appearance of Tau protein is closely linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms. Therefore, Tau PET imaging is valuable for identifying suitable patients and for treatment and evaluating therapeutic effects. Moreover, dementia involves various types with similar symptoms, and often lead to misdiagnosis. Visualizing Tau protein accumulation through Tau PET imaging is key to distinguishing between different diseases.

She also called for joint efforts from industry, government, academia, and the medical community to establish a comprehensive brain health management platform. In addition to building a proactive early screening system, she advocated for the creation of dedicated brain imaging centers that leverage AI technology for accurate interpretation to support early screening, integrated with hospital care networks to ensure that no dementia patient is been left behind.