Lantheus and FRI renew radiopharmaceuticals agreement for Japan

NORTH BILLERICA, Mass. -- Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc., a global leader in developing, manufacturing and distributing innovative diagnostic imaging agents, today announced that it has entered into a new agreement with FUJIFILM RI Pharma Co., Ltd. (FRI) to license and distribute Cardiolite (Kit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc99m Sestamibi for Injection) and Neurolite (Kit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc99m Bicisate for Injection) in Japan.

Under the terms of the 10-year agreement effective January 1, 2013, which immediately follows an earlier 10-year agreement with FRI, Lantheus will continue to supply FRI with Cardiolite and Neurolite in finished form as well as provide the raw materials to manufacture and sell the products in unit dose form. Cardiolite and Neurolite are technetium-based radiopharmaceutical imaging agents used in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

“We are pleased to continue our long-term collaborative relationship with FRI, which we’ve successfully developed over the past ten years,” said Don Kiepert, president and chief executive officer, Lantheus Medical Imaging. “Japan represents one of the largest markets for imaging agents worldwide. As such, we share a joint commitment with FRI to provide proven, reliable medical imaging technologies to healthcare providers and patients. This commitment includes ensuring continued access to Cardiolite and Neurolite for SPECT imaging.”

“Lantheus is the ideal partner for FRI in the Japanese diagnostic imaging market as we have a shared view of the clinical value and benefits of radiopharmaceuticals in the diagnosis of disease,” said Yoshiro Kumano, president and chief executive officer, FRI. “Our customers are our top priority, and we will continue to meet their needs by offering Cardiolite and Neurolite for use in cardiovascular and brain imaging, respectively.”