Sonus restructures Abbott agreement

As expected, ultrasound contrast developer Sonus Pharmaceuticals has reorganized its marketing relationship with Abbott Laboratories International Division (SCAN 10/13/99). The two firms agreed in 1996 that Abbott would have exclusive rights to sell EchoGen, Sonus’ contrast agent, in Europe, Latin America, Canada, the Middle East, Africa, and some Asian Pacific countries (SCAN 5/22/96).

Under the new agreement, Sonus retrieves its right to market and sell EchoGen in these areas, as well as all international clinical trial data and filings for pricing and reimbursement approvals in Europe. Sonus will pay Abbott International to distribute EchoGen at the Bothell, WA, company’s request. This may include importing, quality release testing, and storing EchoGen in Europe. Sonus will also share some of its net profits on EchoGen sales with Abbott Laboratories over the next five years, and any license fees Sonus receives from new marketing partners will be shared with Abbott International. Abbott will also have the option to co-market QW7437, the second ultrasound contrast product in Sonus’ R&D pipeline.

Sonus has already begun the search for new marketing partners in Europe, and continues to seek approval from the European Commission for a final manufacturing variation to its marketing license in order to introduce EchoGen in Europe.