Wayne, N.J.-based Berlex Laboratories has signed a business alliance pact that could drive up sales of a new product.
Under the alliance, Abbott Laboratories is going to take over marketing of Berlex contrast media to U.S. hospitals as of July 1. Berlex will continue to market to freestanding centers and provide technical support to all customers. Only current products are included. The agreement with Premier won't be affected, Berlex said.
Berlex is the leading maker of contrast media for use in magnetic resonance imaging procedures, holding about 60% of the market. It received Food and Drug Administration approval last year to market a new nonionic contrast media for use in X-ray, computed tomography and other imaging procedures.
A company official said she did not have any estimates of its current market share for the nonionic contrast agent.
Abbott, in Abbott Park, Ill., said the alliance is a "key milestone" in its expansion of its presence in diagnostic imaging.
