Sonus completes phase-one trials

Ultrasound contrast agent developerSonus Pharmaceuticals announced this month that its EchoGen agenthas completed phase-one clinical trials. Sonus, of Bothell, WA,made the announcement at the Alex. Brown & Sons Medical Conferencein Baltimore.

EchoGen is the first agent in the Sonus pipeline. It is basedon an emulsion that turns into echogenic microbubbles when injected(SCAN 1/19/94).

The phase-one trial involved administration of EchoGen to 25healthy male subjects and obtaining blood samples to measure drugcontent and to detect potential safety parameters over a 72-hourperiod.

EchoGen appeared safe under the conditions of the study andthe drug was cleared from the body quickly after images were obtained,according to Sonus president and CEO Dr. Steven C. Quay.

In addition, EchoGen provided diagnostically useful informationabout heart, kidney and liver function and the vascular systemin 88% of the subjects in the study. Sonus will use the resultsof the study to develop phase-two clinical trials for EchoGenin cardiology and radiology, as well as an exercise-stress echocardiologystudy for myocardial perfusion.