Oral administration of this liposomal encapsulated manganese chloride results in a reduction of the T1 relaxation time causing enhanced signal on T1 weighted MR images. Bracco received marketing approval in December 1997 in the United States, but marketing state is still uncertain.

See also Classifications, Characteristics, etc.

Founded in 1991, ImaRx Pharmaceutical Corp. designs, develops and markets pharmaceuticals for medical imaging (MRI, ultrasound and computed tomography) for the radiological imaging industry.
ImaRx Pharmaceutical Corp., announced 1999 that it has been acquired by E.I DuPont de Nemours and Co., Inc.. The terms of the acquisition provide a royalty-free licensing arrangement with a newly-formed company, ImaRx LLC ("LLC"), to pursue and develop new products and technologies for drug and gene delivery independent from DuPont. Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., ImaRx' licensee for Asian territories for this product, will continue to develop the product in Asia as DuPont's licensee. ImaRx LLC will have ownership of all other targeted and therapeutic products previously owned by ImaRx, including imaging products outside of diagnostic ultrasound imaging and two other imaging products, SonoRx® and LumenHance®, which are both FDA approved and licensed to BRACCO Diagnostics.

MRI Contrast Agents:

The company is a member of the Bracco Group, a highly innovative healthcare group and world leader in global integrated solutions for the diagnostic medical imaging field. The Bracco Group is headquartered in Milan, Italy. Its North American operations consist of Bracco Diagnostics and Bracco Research USA, both located in Princeton, New Jersey. Bracco Diagnostics is one of the fastest growing developers and marketers of diagnostic pharmaceuticals in North America, with products for various imaging applications, including Isovue® (iopamidol - X-ray contrast agent), ProHance® (gadoteridol - MRI contrast agent), SonoVue® (ultrasound contrast agent) and nuclear medicine products.
Gadoteridol has been available in Europe and the USA for several years. Holder of the Marketing Authorization: Bracco International B.V. - Strawinskylaan 3051 - 1077 ZX Amsterdam The Netherlands. (Contact: Kirk Deeter, Phone: +NL-303-838-8708)

MRI Contrast Agents:

Manganese chloride (MnCl2) is used as an oral contrast agent (LumenHance®) for MRI of the abdomen and/or pelvis. MnCl2 has also been used in magnetic resonance imaging of animals to maximize the contrast of different tissues e.g. in mice and crayfish with different injection methods. Caused by the hepatic uptake, manganese chloride has potential as a hepatobiliary contrast agent.
Manganese chloride is produced by the reaction of hydrochloric acid with manganese oxide or manganese carbonate. In an aqueous solution, manganese chloride can serve as phantom fluid, used for e.g. the daily quality assurance.

See also Classifications, Characteristics, etc.