MR blood pool agent approaches U.S. market

In the coming months, Lantheus Medical Imaging plans to introduce an MR blood pool contrast agent to the U.S. market under the brand name Ablavar. From its booth on the RSNA exhibit floor, company staff will be available to discuss key points about the agent, which was originally developed by Epix Pharmaceuticals and branded under the name Vasovist. These points include Ablavar’s position as the first and only blood pool contrast agent approved for MR angiography to evaluate aortoiliac occlusive disease in patients with known or suspected peripheral vascular disease; how its albumin-binding properties allow multiple images to be obtained using a single, low-dose injection; and its role in visualizing both arterial and venous blood vessels.  In April 2009, Lantheus acquired the U.S., Canadian, and Australian rights to the agent, technically called gadofosveset trisodium, which has been approved by the FDA for marketing as an aide in detecting aortoiliac occlusive disease.