Bayer nets FDA approval for liver-specific contrast agent

The FDA has approved Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals’ Eovist injection, a gadolinium-based contrast agent, for intravenous use in T1-weighted MRI of the liver to detect and characterize lesions in adults with known or suspected focal liver disease. 

Eovist (gadoxetate disodium) is a paramagnetic MRI contrast agent that combines features of an extracellular contrast agent and a hepatocyte-specific agent, according to the Wayne, N.J.-based Bayer. The agent is administered via an intravenous, bolus injection and has a dual route of excretion with approximately 50 percent eliminated through the liver and 50 percent eliminated through the kidney, the company said.

Bayer said that Eovist should be available on the U.S. market by September of this year.

Eovist is marketed by Bayer HealthCare affiliates outside the United States as Primovist and in Japan as EOB Primovist.

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