Daiichi to market Sonus agent in Asia

Ultrasound contrast developerSonus Pharmaceuticals has licensed distribution rights for itsEchoGen intravascular agent to Daiichi Pharmaceutical of Japan.Under the agreement, Daiichi will market and distribute EchoGenin Japan and several other Asian nations, Bothell, WA-based Sonusannounced last month.

Daiichi will guide clinical development of EchoGen and willmanage its registration with the Japanese Ministry of Health andWelfare. Sonus will receive milestone payments from Daiichi.

EchoGen is entering phase-two clinical trials in the U.S.