Merck and GE Healthcare have made a clinical study collaboration, license and supply agreement for the PET imaging agent [18F]Flutemetamol to support Merck’s development of MK-8931, the company’s lead investigational candidate for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

MK-8931 is an oral beta amyloid precursor protein site cleaving enzyme inhibitor designed to modify disease progression and improve symptom control, according to a press release from Merck and GE.

Under the agreement, GE will supply [18F]Flutemetamol for patient selection during clinical trials and to evaluate the MK-8931 agent. A joint Merck and GE Imaging Advisory Committee will oversee the planned imaging studies.