Today

SNIDD continues to fulfill the mission and objectives set forth by the founding directors and push forth the frontiers for utilizing noninvasive and molecular imaging in drug discovery and development. SNIDD provides opportunities for industrial and academic scientists to learn more about the potential of imaging by providing information that can increase the efficiency of new pharmaceutical research and development.

Noninvasive imaging techniques can be used to obtain biochemical and physiological information in vivo in experimental animals and man that cannot be obtained in any other way. When applied to drug discovery and development, information obtained via these imaging modalities can be divided into four categories:

• determination of desirable, pharmacological effects or undesirable side effects (i.e., the effect of the drug candidate on in vivo biochemistry and physiology)
• the interaction of a drug or drug candidate with the desired target (e.g., receptor, enzyme or transport system), including dose occupancy relationships and kinetic information
• the delivery of a drug to a specific target
• the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of the labeled drug candidate.

SNIDD provides a major service to the pharmaceutical industry, academia and government by hosting and supporting numerous educational meetings. Additionally, SNIDD conducts periodic workshops to address relevant topics in imaging in drug discovery and development. We receive numerous requests each year to participate in various worldwide speaker programs from pharma, academia and government. Our annual meeting is held in conjunction with the AMI Annual Meeting. The estimated membership in SNIDD is comprised of: worldwide pharmaceutical industry, 50%, worldwide academic centers, 45% and US government agencies 5%. The collective background of this membership includes experts in MRI, Optical, Ultrasound and Nuclear, which includes PET and SPECT imaging modalities. All major therapeutic areas are represented within the Society.