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Market Research in the Healthcare Field with Expertise in Medical Imaging and Radioisotopes
Bio-Tech Systems, Inc. - 4167 West Pinecrest Circle - Las Vegas, Nevada 89121 phone: (702) 456-7608 - fax: (702) 456-2189
Marketing Challenges Continue for Ultrasound Contrast MediaNov. 20, 2004
There are three approved ultrasound contrast agents. Optison (originally developed by Molecular Biosystems) is licensed to Amersham; Definity (developed by Imarx) is licensed to Bristol-Myers Imaging and Imagent (developed by Alliance Pharmaceutical, now IMCOR Pharmaceutical). All of these agents are approved for similar indications, i.e., opacification of the left ventricle to delineate wall motion more effectively in equivocal echocardiography cases. Manufacturers of these agents are hopeful that indications will eventually be expanded to include cardiac perfusion, where the market prospects are large. They are also hopeful that radiology indications will be approved, augmenting visualization of organs such as kidney and liver. While the market potential obviously exists, more effort is required to convince both the users and FDA of these opportunities. One challenge is how to make the use of contrast agents part of the imaging protocol up front, rather than as an afterthought based on reviewing an inconclusive image. This is an educational process involving both clinicians and sonographers who need to be convinced of the effectiveness of this modality. Patient selection is obviously very important. Certain patients may benefit more from enhanced ultrasound than others. For example, heavy patients that are difficult to image because of attenuation of the ultrasound beam, may offer more opportunity for enhancement of the signal when using contrast agents. Ultrasound equipment manufacturers also need to be brought into the loop to help optimize equipment performance with contrast agents. Their present disposition is that ultrasound works quite well on its own without contrast. Therefore, some inducement is necessary to get them to optimize equipment design around contrast agents. A critical mass of users is probably necessary to convince manufacturers that a market opportunity exists sufficient to justify the necessary investment. by Marvin Burns
Nov. 20, 2004 BIO-TECH SYSTEMS, INC., founded in 1980, provides clients with market research services in the healthcare field. This focuses on strategic planning, market research and development of new business opportunities. Bio Tech specializes in product and market evaluation where technical insight is important as well as the ability to communicate with many levels of management and end-users. One objective is to assess technological risk and target new products and services effectively in order to generate the best market response. Bio-Tech's expertise is in medical imaging and radioisotope products covering a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. For further details and information, please visit us at: Related Reading:
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