ZW800-1, Carboxylic Acid
ZW800-1 is the world’s first “zwitterionic” NIR fluorophore, having geometrically-balanced and net-neutral poly-ionicity. It is engineered with peak emission ≈ 800 nm for use with Channel #2 of the FLARE®imaging system. Because of this unique chemical structure, ZW800-1 exhibits extremely low non-specific binding and uptake both in vitro and in vivo, and also exhibits ≈ 100% renal clearance and elimination from the body into urine after a single intravenous injection. During the elimination process, ZW800-1 highlights the ureters with an extremely high signal-to-background ratio for at least 60-90 minutes, making image-guided identification or avoidance of the ureters possible. After bolus intravenous injection, ZW800-1, in conjunction with the FLARE® imaging system, permits extremely high resolution NIR fluorescence angiography of arteries, capillaries, and veins. Because of its single carboxylic acid and no other reactive groups, ZW800-1 can also be used as a general-purpose labeling reagent, but is also available as a convenient reactive NHS ester or maleimide derivative for one-step conjugation.