Immunomedics debuts LeukoScan in Europe

Immunomedics of Morris Plains, NJ, last month began shipments to Germany and Austria of LeukoScan, its radiolabeled monoclonal antibody fragment for the detection of infectious disease.

Launches in the U.K. and Ireland are expected by the end of May, with deliveries to the rest of the European Union countries to follow by the end of August, according to Philippe Barzin, general manager of the company's European subsidiary in Petten, the Netherlands. Barzin will coordinate sales and marketing for LeukoScan in Europe.

Distribution within the European Union will initially be handled by Mallinckrodt's European affiliate, which also partners with Immunomedics to sell and distribute the company's CEA-Scan colorectal cancer imaging agent.

LeukoScan received final clearance from the European Commission in February for sales and marketing in the 15 E.U. nations. The agent is designed for the detection and diagnosis of osteomyelitis involving long bones, particularly in diabetic patients with foot ulcers, according to the company. Immunomedics filed a biologics license application (BLA) for the product with the Food and Drug Administration in December 1996.