May 14, 2012 — Lantheus Medical Imaging Inc. announced new manufacturing and supply agreements with Jubilant HollisterStier LLC (JHS). Under separate agreements, JHS will manufacture Cardiolite (kit for the preparation of technetium Tc99m sestamibi for injection) products and Neurolite (kit for the preparation of technetium Tc99m bicisate for injection), each for an initial term of five years and each with an option to renew for an additional five years thereafter.
In February 2012, Lantheus entered a similar agreement with JHS to manufacture Definity Vial for (Perflutren Lipid Microsphere) Injectable Suspension. Cardiolite and Neurolite are technetium-based radiopharmaceutical imaging agents used in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Definity is an ultrasound contrast agent for use in patients with suboptimal echocardiograms.
“Our agreements with JHS are a vital component of a multi-pronged effort to secure the long-term supply of our product portfolio and diversify our supply chain to better position us for the future,” said Don Kiepert, president and CEO of Lantheus Medical Imaging. “We look forward to working with JHS, which has proven expertise in this specialized category and a shared commitment to deliver the highest quality products to our customers and patients.”
Cardiolite, Neurolite and Definity are currently manufactured by Ben Venue Laboratories (BVL). In addition to enlisting JHS to eventually become its primary replacement manufacturer, Lantheus is working to secure secondary manufacturers for the agents by the end of 2013, as BVL transitions out of the contract manufacturing services business over the next couple of years.
“We’re pleased to team up with Jubilant HollisterStier to lead the manufacturing and supply of our core products,” said Bill Dawes, vice president of manufacturing and supply chain at Lantheus Medical Imaging. “We are in the final stages of completing technology transfer for Definity and will be working closely with the company to expedite similar processes for the manufacture of Cardiolite and Neurolite.”
For more information: www.lantheus.com