Press Release from Alliance:
San Diego, California, April 7, 1998 --- Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp.
(NASDAQ-ALLP) announced today that it has been issued U.S. patent number
5,733,527, "Improved Methods for Harmonic Imaging with Ultrasound." This
patent broadly covers methods of harmonic imaging using "second generation"
microbubble contrast agents. In addition to covering Alliance+s commercial
embodiment of its microbubble ultrasound agent, ImagentR, the issued claims
generally cover microbubble agents incorporating any one of a number of
fluorocarbon and other gases.
Imagent is a perfluorohexane-containing intravenous contrast agent in
Phase III clinical development for enhancement of ultrasound images. The
issued claims include methods of harmonic imaging using microbubbles
containing perfluoropropane, perfluorobutane, perfluoropentane, other
fluorochemicals, and fluorochemical-based microbubble contrast agents formed
from emulsified liquids, liposomes, and protein microspheres.
Harmonic imaging is a new technique that suppresses ultrasound images
from background structures, resulting in increased detection of microbubbles
circulating in the small vessels of the bloodstream. This may greatly
increase the visualization of flowing blood in the heart, kidneys, placenta,
and other organs and tissues. The harmonic technique can be used to create
multiple images of an area of the body, which can be viewed separately or
processed electronically into a composite image. The enhanced images may be
used to facilitate diagnosis and therapy by allowing more detailed imaging
of tumors and inflamed tissues.
The newly issued patent is Alliance+s second U.S. patent covering
methods of harmonic ultrasound imaging. This patent extends coverage for the
proprietary methods previously claimed in patent number 5,540,909, "Harmonic
Ultrasound Imaging With Microbubbles," which was issued in July 1996.
Alliance+s ultrasound-related patent portfolio now includes seven issued
U.S. patents and 44 pending U.S. and foreign patent applications. These
claims describe microbubble compositions containing various mixtures of
fluorochemicals and surfactant systems, kits for the preparation of
microbubble formulations, and methods for spray-drying the microbubbles to
make a powder to facilitate storage and shipping of the product.
Imagent is being developed jointly by Alliance and Schering AG,
Germany, and will be marketed exclusively by Schering AG. The product is
currently being assessed in multicenter Phase III trials designed to
demonstrate the use of Imagent to aid in the evaluation of cardiac function
as assessed by both ejection fraction and endocardial border definition.
Alliance is also developing the product to improve the detection of blood
flow abnormalities and solid tumors in organs and glands such as the liver,
kidney, breast, and prostate.
Alliance is a pharmaceutical research and development company focusing
on transforming novel scientific discoveries into innovative drug products.
Two additional products based on its perfluorochemical technologies are
currently in clinical development: Oxygent (perflubron emulsion), an
intravascular oxygen carrier to temporarily augment oxygen delivery in
surgical and other patients at risk of acute tissue oxygen deficit, which is
being co-developed with affiliates of Johnson & Johnson; and LiquiVentR
(neat perflubron), an intrapulmonary agent to reduce a patient+s exposure to
the harmful effects of conventional mechanical ventilation.
Except for historical information, the matters set forth in this release are
forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth herein,
including the uncertainties associated with the conduct of pre-clinical or
clinical studies and the timing or ability to investigate scientific data.
Alliance refers you to cautionary information contained in documents the
Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time,
including the last Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, and those risk factors set forth
in the recent registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration Number
333-15905).
For further information, contact Gwen Rosenberg, Director of Corporate
Communications, at (619) 558-4375. |
