Sonus settles class action suit

Sonus Pharmaceuticals has settled a class action suit brought against it in a California Superior Court. The litigation, filed in San Diego, claimed that the company did not communicate clearly about the status of the Food and Drug Administration’s clearance of EchoGen, the company’s ultrasound contrast agent. Although Bothell, WA-based Sonus believes that the complaint was without merit, it chose to settle rather than engage in the litigation. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed, although Sonus did state that the terms were not monetary.

On the EchoGen front, at the end of September Sonus filed a complete response to conditions outlined in the FDA’s approvable letter, which the company received in April (SCAN 4/28/99). Sonus believes that it has provided sufficient answer to the agency’s letter, and continues to wait for its response, according to Greg Sessler, CFO.