Epix pursues breast uses for MS-325

Epix Medical of Cambridge, MA, has started phase II clinical trials for breast indications of its MS-325 MRI contrast agent. Epix and marketing partner Mallinckrodt of St. Louis are already investigating MR angiography uses for MS-325, which illuminates blood vessels on an MRI scan. The companies believe that the agent could also be useful for breast cancer detection, due to the increased vascularity of breast tumors. The phase II trial will test the safety and feasibility of MS-325 for detecting and characterizing benign and malignant breast lesions. MS-325 is in phase II clinical trials for peripheral vascular and carotid MRA, and is in a phase II feasibility trial for coronary MRA, according to Epix president Michael Webb.