Key Points
- Foundation-funded researchers can now quickly access Bracco’s SonoVue microbubbles at a fixed price.
- This partnership could help facilitate preclinical focused ultrasound research.
Charlottesville, VA, August 11, 2026 — The Focused Ultrasound Foundation and Bracco Imaging today announced a partnership to facilitate access to Bracco’s research version of the SonoVue microbubble (so-called BR1), helping accelerate preclinical focused ultrasound research worldwide.
Microbubble-assisted focused ultrasound techniques have the potential to improve treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, brain tumors, mental health disorders, and solid tumors throughout the body.
Under the terms of the partnership, investigators working on Focused Ultrasound Foundation–funded preclinical or non-clinical research projects that involve the use of microbubbles will have the opportunity to obtain Bracco’s proprietary research microbubbles at an expedited pace and fixed price, reducing delay in preclinical studies that rely on microbubbles.
While microbubbles were initially developed and commercialized to enhance diagnostic ultrasound images, researchers subsequently discovered that when intravenously administered before focused ultrasound, oscillation of the microbubbles from the ultrasound waves can lead to biological effects. Today, microbubbles play an essential role in key focused ultrasound applications, including blood-brain barrier modulation and targeted drug delivery. By making it easier for investigators to access essential materials, the collaboration is expected to facilitate new research projects, strengthen scientific collaborations, and ultimately help bring promising focused ultrasound treatments to patients more quickly.
“One of the Foundation’s core priorities is identifying and removing barriers that slow the pace of innovation,” said Lauren Hadley, MD, MBA, associate director of the Foundation’s Research and Education Team. “By improving access to a critical research reagent, this partnership will allow investigators to focus on what matters most — advancing discoveries that have the potential to improve patient care.”
“Bracco is committed to providing high-quality microbubble reagents to support preclinical studies sponsored by the Focused Ultrasound Foundation,” said Victor Jeannot (PharmD, PhD, EMBA) R&D Program manager at Bracco. “Through this collaboration, leading research centers will gain access to Bracco’s microbubble technology and dedicated technical support, helping to unlock the full potential of gas-filled microbubbles combined with therapeutic ultrasound and accelerate the development of innovative therapeutic applications.”
The Foundation provides support to investigators in academia and medical research disciplines worldwide for preclinical and translational research studies and clinical trials.
More information on applying for research funding can be found on the Foundation’s website.
Researchers and other microbubble companies that are interested in participating in the microbubble access program are encouraged to contact Dr. Hadley.
About the Focused Ultrasound Foundation
Based in Charlottesville, VA, the Focused Ultrasound Foundation was created to improve the lives of millions of people worldwide by accelerating the development of focused ultrasound, a rapidly evolving, noninvasive technology. The Foundation works to clear the path to global adoption in the shortest time possible by organizing and funding research, fostering collaboration, and building awareness among patients and clinicians. Positioned at the nexus of the focused ultrasound ecosystem, the Foundation is the catalyst and driving force for development and adoption of the technology, and the largest non-governmental funding source for focused ultrasound research.
About Bracco
Bracco Group, founded in 1927, is a global leader in diagnostic imaging, committed to advancing healthcare and improving people’s lives by shaping the future of prevention and precision medicine.
The company operates in the healthcare sector across more than 100 countries with a workforce of over 4,000 employees and consolidated annual revenues of approximately €2 billion, 88% generated by international markets.
With a strong commitment to innovation – investing around 9% of its reference turnover in Research & Development – Bracco develops and provides a broad portfolio of pharmaceutical products for diagnostic imaging, including contrast agents for X-ray, Computed Tomography (CT), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), as well as microbubbles for Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS), and Molecular Imaging through radioactive tracers and novel PET imaging agents, alongside AI-based solutions. It is also a global market leader in advanced contrast management technologies for cardiovascular angiography and radiology imaging.
Discover more at www.bracco.com
Bracco Press Contact
Alessandra Vulpiani
alessandra.vulpiani@bracco.com