Shreveport site to produce Alzheimer’s detecting drug

Shreveport, La. – The Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy (CMIT), a subsidiary of BRF, today announced its collaboration with Lantheus to begin production of Lantheus’s Neuraceq® (florbetaben F18 injection) radiopharmaceutical in Shreveport. Neuraceq reliably visualizes amyloid plaques – a key component of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) – to aid in AD diagnosis and confirm eligibility for new amyloid-targeting therapies. Amyloid plaques are deposits of beta-amyloid proteins that occur in the brain and are a marker of AD. Neuraceq and PET imaging is a non-invasive way to determine amyloid burden in a patient’s brain.

Lantheus currently manufactures Neuraceq at sites across the country. CMIT has been imaging patients using doses provided from radiopharmacies in Texas. Producing doses in Shreveport will not only provide more access to patients in North Louisiana, but through CMIT’s distribution network, will provide access to the drug across the southeastern region of the United States, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and beyond.

CMIT conducts positron emission tomography (PET) scans to help diagnose and administer therapies for a number of cancers, cardiovascular disease and neurological conditions including AD. In 2025, CMIT conducted over 300 scans using Neuraceq to help in the potential diagnosis of AD.

“Manufacturing Neuraceq in Shreveport is an important advancement for patients in our region. Local production means more availability which will lead to more scans, and hopefully more opportunities to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease early and begin therapies,” said Dr. Stephen Lokitz, CMIT Executive Director. “CMIT will manufacture the drug and perform the imaging on-site, continuing our unique ‘one-stop-shop’ capability.”

CMIT has been active in AD imaging for almost 20 years, collaborating with LSU Health Shreveport on the validation of amyloid radiopharmaceuticals as well as a recent Alzheimer’s Association and the American College of Radiology study (New IDEAS), a clinical trial for people who suffer from mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The New IDEAS study examined how PET amyloid scanning of the brain can help medical professionals diagnose and treat AD and other forms of dementia.

Neuraceq imaging requires a referral from a neurologist or other physician and is appropriate for patients with symptoms of dementia or memory loss. For more information, please speak to your physician or visit neuraceq.com.

About CMIT

The Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy (CMIT) is a purpose-built, full-service molecular imaging & therapy research center housing clinical and pre-clinical PET imaging, research laboratories, and radiopharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution located in Shreveport, Louisiana.

CMIT offers research and development collaborations in molecular imaging, radiopharmaceutical discovery, manufacturing, and clinical translation. CMIT’s model allows for streamlined advancement of novel diagnostics and therapies from target identification through pre-clinical and clinical evaluation, including manufacturing and distribution — a unique “one-stop-shop” capability in the radiopharmaceutical space. cmitla.org

About BRF

BRF, headquartered in Shreveport, Louisiana, is an innovation hub and economic development organization establishing North Louisiana as a preferred destination for high-growth initiatives. Diversifying the region’s economy is its mission. It fulfills this mission through initiatives that start new businesses, recruit new businesses and retain current businesses in the region, and through supporting the development of a science and technology-based workforce. brfla.org