GE Healthcare has inked an exclusive manufacturing and distribution agreement with NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes to manufacture and distribute iodine-123 (I-123) capsules in the U.S.
Per the deal, GE's pharmaceutical diagnostics unit will make I-123 capsules in 100 µCi and 200 µCi formulations at its production facility in Arlington Heights, IL. The products will be distributed with the NorthStar label and NorthStar will retain exclusive marketing and distribution rights, according to the vendors.
I-123 is used in nuclear medicine for diagnosing physiological abnormalities in the thyroid, including thyroid cancer. NorthStar said that the agreement expands its imaging portfolio, which includes nonuranium Mo-99/technetium-99m and the fibrin-specific contrast agent FibroScint.
