Lantheus soft-launches MR agent at RSNA 2009
An MR contrast agent for blood pool imaging once known as Vasovist reappeared at RSNA 2009 under the new moniker Ablavar.
An MR contrast agent for blood pool imaging once known as Vasovist reappeared at RSNA 2009 under the new moniker Ablavar. Marketing rights to the agent, which the FDA approved a year ago, were sold by Epix Pharmaceuticals for the U.S., Canadian, and Australian markets to Lantheus Medical in April 2009. Lantheus is now working out with the FDA the final labeling details regarding the agent.
The company is aiming for a hard launch of the blood pool agent early next year, pending final labeling from the FDA. The coming U.S. marketing campaign will promote MR procedures enhanced with the newly branded Ablavar as a less invasive option than x-ray angiography for imaging patients with known or suspected peripheral vascular disease, the specific application approved by the FDA for marketing. Lantheus will leverage sales channels used for its other products, including the technetium-based radiotracer Cardiolite and ultrasound contrast agent Definity.
