Mallinckrodt receives clearance for OptiMark

Mallinckrodt is eyeing a broader piece of the MRI contrast market, thanks to recent Food and Drug Administration clearance of its OptiMark contrast agent. OptiMark is designed for use in MR imaging of lesions and tumors of the brain, spine, and liver.

The segment of the MR market into which OptiMark will be sold is worth more than $150 million annually and is growing at a rate of 12% to 15%, according to the St. Louis-based vendor. Mallinckrodt already sells another MR contrast agent, GastroMark, for use in imaging of the gastrointestinal tract. The company expects to begin shipping OptiMark this quarter.