Point Biomedical: Tunable biSpheres

Second generation ultrasound contrast agents are just beginning to enter the market, but already companies are moving to develop improved third generation products. One new entrant is Point Biomedical Corp., which believes its biSpheres have improved biocompatibility and physical stability as well as clinical utility.

A number of second generation products have been developed. First to market is Molecular Biosystems Inc.'s Optison, which is marketed by Mallinckrodt Medical Inc. Sonus Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s EchoGen is awaiting FDA approval, while ImaRx Pharmaceutical Inc.'s Aerosomes product, licensed to DuPont Merck Pharmaceuticals Inc., is in Phase III cardiology and radiology trials...