A water-soluble compound composed of a 26-amino acid cyclic peptide targeting the human hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-MET) conjugated to a cyanine-based fluorescent dye, with potential fluorescent imaging activity. Upon administration of EMI-137, the peptide moiety specifically targets and binds to the human tyrosine kinase receptor c-Met, which is often overexpressed on cancer cells. Upon imaging, the cancer cells can be visualized.