Polarean Imaging expands commercial arrangement with Ascend to 19 states

Polarean Imaging (POLX) has significantly expanded its commercial agreement with Ascend Imaging, increasing the U.S. state coverage for its FDA-approved Xenon MRI platform from four to 19. This strategic move is designed to accelerate sales efforts, enhance market access within healthcare institutions, and drive broader adoption of its functional lung imaging technology. The expanded non-exclusive partnership aims to strengthen Polarean's commercial footprint and capitalize on growing institutional recognition and reimbursement support for Xenon MRI.

Analysis

Polarean Imaging expands commercial arrangement with Ascend to 19 states Published: 07:46 06 Oct 2025 BST Polarean Imaging PLC (AIM:POLX, OTC:PLLWF) has expanded its commercial agreement with Ascend Imaging, increasing coverage for its Xenon MRI platform from four to 19 US states. The company said the expanded arrangement will enhance sales efforts and strengthen access to healthcare institutions adopting functional lung imaging. "Our collaboration with Ascend Imaging has already proven highly productive, and we see clear value in their ability to connect us with the right decision-makers at leading institutions," said Polarean chief executive Christopher von Jako. "By expanding this partnership into additional states, we can further strengthen our commercial reach and accelerate adoption of Xenon MRI, advancing our mission to transform pulmonary medicine and ultimately improving outcomes for patients across the country." Under the new terms, Ascend Imaging will continue to act as a non-exclusive representative supporting customer engagement and the negotiation of sales. The partnership aims to increase adoption of Polarean’s FDA-approved Xenon MRI technology. "Xenon MRI is gaining momentum as institutions recognise the value of regional functional lung imaging," added Ascend Imaging president Wesley Adams. "With hospitals increasingly seeking innovative solutions that are supported by reimbursement, we are excited to expand our partnership with Polarean and help bring this important technology to more patients and providers." Polarean Imaging has executed a significant strategic expansion of its commercial operations in the United States by increasing the geographic scope of its agreement with Ascend Imaging from four to 19 states. This move is designed to accelerate the market penetration of its FDA-approved Xenon MRI functional lung imaging platform. The partnership leverages Ascend's demonstrated effectiveness in connecting with key decision-makers at healthcare institutions, aiming to directly drive sales and adoption. Critically, the market environment appears favorable, as noted by Ascend's president, who stated that institutions are increasingly seeking innovative solutions supported by reimbursement. This suggests that a key financial barrier to adoption is being addressed, which strengthens the commercial case for Polarean's technology and indicates growing momentum for its specialized diagnostic tool within pulmonary medicine.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors should view this significant expansion in U.S. market coverage as a material catalyst for revenue acceleration, as it quadruples the geographic reach through a proven sales partner.
• The explicit mention of reimbursement support for the technology is a crucial de-risking factor; monitor for subsequent announcements of new hospital contracts in these territories as confirmation of the strategy's success.
• Given the positive outlook and strengthened commercial pathway, consider this a key milestone in Polarean's transition from a development-stage to a commercial-stage company, justifying a potential re-evaluation of its growth trajectory.