Epix and Dyax sign contrast deal

The development of new nuclear medicine and MRI contrast agents is the focus of an alliance signed last month between Epix Medical and Dyax. The two Cambridge, MA, companies have agreed to join forces to spur development of agents to diagnose pulmonary emboli and deep-vein thrombosis.

Epix is developing MRI agents like its MS-325 cardiovascular imaging agent (SCAN 2/19/97), while Dyax has developed a novel process for identifying proteins that could form the basis for new imaging agents (SCAN 11/20/96). Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will use Dyax's phage-display technology to identify peptides that bind to pulmonary emboli and deep-vein thrombosis.

Epix will fund the phage-display screening program and will provide expertise for developing MRI-specific imaging agents, while Dyax will assume responsibility for developing nuclear medicine agents. Both companies will receive royalties for products resulting from the collaboration.

In other Epix news, the company has begun phase II clinical trials of MS-325. The trials will investigate the safety and preliminary efficacy of the MRI agent for the evaluation of peripheral vascular disease in the carotid, iliac, and femoral arteries. Epix has licensed the agent to Mallinckrodt of St. Louis.