Abbott gains more rights to Sonus agent

Sonus Pharmaceuticals of Bothell, WA, has granted U.S. marketingpartner Abbott Laboratories licensing rights to its EchoGen ultrasoundcontrast agent in all international territories outside Japanand nine other Asia-Pacific countries. In exchange for the internationalrights, Abbott, of Abbott Park, IL, has agreed to make $34.6 millionin license and milestone payments, some of which will be creditedagainst future royalties.

Sonus and Abbott in May reached a pact covering EchoGen salesin the U.S. (SCAN 5/22/96). With this latest deal, Abbott gainsEchoGen marketing rights to additional territories, includingEurope, the rights to which Sonus regained from French contrastfirm Guerbet earlier this year (SCAN 9/11/96). Daiichi Pharmaceuticalhas marketing rights in Pacific Rim countries.

Sonus has filed a new drug application for EchoGen with theFood and Drug Administration and plans to file for European regulatoryapproval of the product by the end of this year.