Cyclopharm’s Technegas® has been named the preferred ventilation agent in new US lung imaging guidelines, marking the first update in 14 years and potentially accelerating adoption across American hospitals.
- Technegas® explicitly preferred in updated US lung imaging standards
- Guidelines promote 3D scanning favouring Technegas®’s functional imaging
- Lower radiation dose highlighted for vulnerable patient groups
- Expanded clinical uses beyond pulmonary embolism recognised
- Joint endorsement by four major nuclear medicine societies
Technegas® Clinically Preferred in New US Guidelines
Cyclopharm (ASX:CYC) has secured a significant clinical endorsement with the publication of the first update to US lung ventilation imaging guidelines in 14 years. The new Procedure Standard / Procedure Guideline for Ventilation-Perfusion Pulmonary Scintigraphy (2026) is jointly issued by four leading nuclear medicine societies across the US, Europe, and ANZ. Unusually for such documents, the guidelines explicitly name Technegas® as the preferred ventilation agent, a departure from the typical brand-neutral approach.
This endorsement is significant given that the previous US standard, last updated in 2012, predated Technegas®’s availability in the American market. Cyclopharm’s subsidiary Cyclomedica and its Technegas® system are referenced directly, including the single-patient-use consumables, underscoring the product’s clinical standing.
Three-Dimensional Imaging and Functional Lung Assessment
The guidelines advocate a shift to three-dimensional scanning techniques, which align closely with Technegas®’s unique functional ventilation imaging capabilities. Unlike CT scans that show lung anatomy, Technegas® provides a detailed map of lung function region by region. This makes it well-suited for emerging applications such as artificial intelligence-driven analysis, which relies on stable, validated data without the need for correction.
Broader Clinical Applications Beyond Pulmonary Embolism
While ventilation-perfusion scans have traditionally focused on detecting pulmonary embolism (PE), the new guidelines broaden the scope to include screening for chronic PE-related pulmonary hypertension, post-clot follow-ups, lung function assessment before and after surgery or radiotherapy, lung transplant evaluation, and grading of small airways diseases like COPD and asthma. These expanded indications align with Cyclopharm’s Beyond PE strategy and fall within Technegas®’s FDA-approved uses.
Radiation Dose Advantage for Vulnerable Patients
Radiation exposure remains a critical factor in scan selection, particularly for younger women and sensitive groups. The guidelines highlight that Technegas®-based scans deliver a breast radiation dose approximately 70 times lower than a standard CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA), and even with adjunct low-dose CT, the dose remains roughly ten times lower. This advantage leads the guidelines to recommend Technegas® scans over CTPA for pre-menopausal women, pregnant patients, those with kidney impairment, patients intolerant to contrast agents, and individuals suspected of chronic PE-related lung disease.
Commercial and Strategic Implications for Cyclopharm
Every US site Cyclopharm has secured so far was won without guideline support, making this new endorsement a potential catalyst for accelerated uptake and broader institutional adoption. CEO James McBrayer emphasised that the new guidelines represent the profession’s own clinical position, not a marketing claim, and are expected to drive increased clinical demand across US hospitals and health systems. This comes on the back of recent multi-site deals, including the immediate system-wide installation at 11 University Hospitals sites, which have expanded Cyclopharm’s footprint and recurring revenue base.
Bottom Line?
The formal clinical endorsement of Technegas® in updated US guidelines sets the stage for a potential surge in adoption, but actual market penetration will hinge on hospital committee decisions and reimbursement pathways.
Questions in the middle?
- How quickly will US hospitals integrate Technegas® following the new guidelines?
- Will competitors develop or push alternatives to counter Technegas®’s emerging dominance?
- How will reimbursement policies evolve to support the broader clinical applications highlighted?