Lantheus Acquires Rights to MRA Contrast Agent for Peripheral Vascular Imaging

April 7, 2009 - Lantheus Medical Imaging Inc. has acquired the U.S., Canadian and Australian rights to MS-325 (formerly marketed as VASOVIST, gadofosveset trisodium, by Bayer Schering Pharma) from EPIX Pharmaceuticals.

In December 2008, EPIX received FDA marketing approval for the magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) agent MS-325 to evaluate aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) in adults with known or suspected peripheral vascular disease. Currently, there are no other imaging agents approved for MRA in the U.S.

Under the terms of the agreement, Lantheus acquired the U.S. (including Puerto Rico), Canadian, and Australian rights to MS-325 from EPIX. EPIX will continue to own European and other ex-U.S. rights for the imaging agent. Lantheus is planning to launch MS-325 under a different name before the year-end.

MS-325 is an injectable intravascular contrast agent designed to provide improved imaging of the vascular system through MRA. MS-325 has been approved for marketing in the U.S. and in 37 countries outside the U.S.

For more information: www.lantheus.com.