Bayer MRI contrast agent ‘offers unique benefit’

Bayer Schering Pharma has hailed the success of its magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent Primovist (gadoxetate disodium).

The compound is used for the early detection, localisation and definition of lesion type of malignant and benign focal liver lesions and can enhance diagnostic accuracy and boost confidence in diagnosis.

It has recently been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the detection and characterisation of liver lesions in patients with suspected focal liver disease.

The first organ-specific MRI contrast approved in the country for over ten years, Primovist will be made available to patients in the summer of 2008.

Dr Gunnar Riemann, member of the board of management of Bayer Schering Pharma, said: “Primovist not only offers the unique benefit of being able to simultaneously detect, locate and distinguish various types of liver lesions, but also helps to guide and follow-up on treatment decisions, as it enables radiologists to identify even tiny pathological liver lesions.”

He added that the company is now in a position to offer diagnosis of liver cancer with Primovist and treating hepatocellular carcinoma with Nexavar (sorafenib).

In May 2008, Bayer announced plans to enter the wound-healing product market through its subsidiary Bayer Innovation.