Contrast medium for animals debuts

Alerion Biomedical has launched Fenestra, the first contrast enhancement product line for use in CT imaging of animals, according to the San Diego company. A single dose of the new product provides prolonged contrast enhancement of the entire hepatobiliary system, as well as functional imaging information about the liver and biliary tract.

Fenestra, the first in a planned family of products, is based on iodinated triglycerides contained in the lipophilic cores of oil-in-water lipid emulsions. These emulsions are similar to naturally occurring chylomicron remnants that carry lipids in the body. Depending on the properties engineered into the emulsion formulations, the agents provide long-lasting visualization of the hepatobiliary or vascular systems, a feature useful when imaging animals with microCT scanners. Because both uptake and elimination of the agents correlate with the metabolic status of the liver, Fenestra also provides the opportunity to evaluate hepatic function as the agent is metabolized and processed through the hepatobiliary pathway, according to the company.