Translational Imaging to Accelerate Cardiovascular Drug Development

Developing effective cardiovascular therapies requires robust, translational preclinical data that can reliably predict clinical outcomes. Imaging plays a central role in this process, providing non‑invasive, quantitative and clinically relevant biomarkers that support decision‑making throughout the drug development pipeline. This webinar explores how cardiovascular imaging, combined with high-quality disease model induction and complementary post-mortem analysis, can strengthen preclinical programs and improve confidence in translation from animal studies to first-in-human trials.

The featured speakers will discuss the importance of imaging in preclinical research, particularly as models become more sophisticated and therapeutic mechanisms more complex. Examples from both rodent and large-animal cardiac models will demonstrate how imaging provides early functional readouts, enables longitudinal study designs, verifies model consistency and informs go/no-go decisions. A special focus will be given to quantitative endpoints that directly mirror those used in clinical cardiology, thereby reducing the translational gap that often challenges cardiovascular drug development.

The session will include an in-depth look at model induction techniques in both small and large animals, with emphasis on reproducible myocardial infarction models in pigs. Combining precise surgical or interventional procedures with advanced imaging improves control of model variability and strengthens the reliability of downstream efficacy assessments.

Insights into advanced cardiac MRI, including assessment of tissue characterization, ventricular function, perfusion and strain, will be presented alongside specialized histology workflows that complement imaging findings and provide mechanistic depth. Together, these tools form a comprehensive strategy for understanding disease progression and treatment response.

Finally, the webinar will highlight how imaging biomarkers are used in patients, how preclinical endpoints map onto clinical practice and which data are most valued by clinical teams when assessing new therapeutic candidates.

Register for this webinar to learn how translational imaging strengthens clinically aligned endpoints for cardiovascular therapy development.

Speakers

Prof. Rasmus Sejersten Ripa, MD, PhD, Clinical Professor, Bispebjerg, Frederiksberg Hospital

Rasmus Sejersten Ripa is a Clinical Professor specializing in Translational Medicine with a focus on integrating advanced imaging and clinical research. His expertise spans multiple imaging modalities, including PET, CT, MRI and hybrid technologies used in both preclinical and clinical settings. His work bridges academic innovation with practical implementation, supporting improved diagnostics and patient outcomes. He collaborates extensively across disciplines to ensure that research insights translate into real-world clinical advancements.

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Mette Flethøj Madsen, DVM, PhD, Principal Scientist, Large Animal Pharmacology, Minerva Imaging

Mette Flethøj Madsen is a Principal Scientist and Head of Cardiovascular Research at Minerva Imaging. As a trained Veterinary Surgeon with a PhD in Cardiology, she contributes extensive clinical experience and substantial proficiency in preclinical cardiovascular models. Her expertise includes myocardial infarction models, intracardiac procedures/cardiac surgery and advanced echocardiography. She has contributed to 20+ peer-reviewed publications on cardiovascular studies focusing on the use of translational, clinically relevant endpoints in drug development.

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Natalia Łopuszyńska, MSc, PhD, Senior Scientist, Imaging, Minerva Imaging

Natalia Łopuszyńska is a Senior Imaging Scientist at Minerva Imaging. She has 9 peer-reviewed publications in nanotechnology and biomedical imaging. She has extensive experience establishing preclinical MRI protocols in both small and large animal models, spanning oncology, CNS disorders and cardiac disease models. Her work includes developing MRI-guided drug-delivery approaches and innovative theranostic platforms to improve the precision and efficacy of modern treatments.

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Margarete Karg, MSc, PhD, Senior Scientist, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Minerva Imaging

Margarete Karg is a Senior Scientist and Histology Lead at Minerva Imaging with extensive experience in preclinical gene therapy and oncology studies. She specializes in ex vivo tissue processing, advanced histological techniques and integrating molecular and cellular analyses with in vivo disease models. Her expertise focuses on developing and optimizing histology workflows that provide high‑resolution tissue‑ and cell‑level insights.

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