Polarean Imaging retains co-founder on consultant basis

MRI technology specialist Polarean Imaging announced the appointment of Bastiaan Driehuys as a consultant to the company on Thursday, effective immediately.

The AIM-traded firm said Driehuys, who previously served as a board member and chief scientific officer (CSO), stepped down from the board on 24 July, but would continue in his role as CSO on a consultancy basis.

It described Dr Driehuys as a key figure in the development of Polarean’s technology, having invented hyperpolarised gas MRI during his doctoral studies at Princeton University.

He co-founded Polarean Imaging in 2011, and played a pivotal role in developing the 129Xe hyperpolarization technology and its applications in pulmonary medicine, including novel MRI acquisition, reconstruction, and analysis techniques.

Under his consultancy contract, Dr Driehuys would receive an annual fee of $36,500.

His continued involvement was expected to provide ongoing scientific leadership as Polarean advanced its commercial-stage medical devices for lung imaging.

“We are delighted to be able to retain Bastiaan as a consultant to the company, and that he will remain our chief scientific officer,” said chief executive officer Christopher von Jako.

“We are excited to continue to capitalise on his expertise as a founder and key member of the Polarean team.”

At 1147 BST, shares in Polarean Imaging were down 0.92% at 1.64p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.