French contrast developer Guerbet has received approval from French regulatory authorities for the use of its Lipiodol Ultra-Fluid product for chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma.
France's National Agency for Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) approved the agent for selective hepatic intra-arterial injection for visualization and localization during chemoembolization procedures of tumors in adults with known, intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
The approval means Lipiodol Ultra-Fluid can be used in conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) procedures. Developing products for minimally invasive procedures such as cTACE is a key strategy for Guerbet as it seeks to develop its Interventional Radiology and Theranostic division from 30 million euros in sales in 2014 to double that amount by 2017.
Guerbet received similar approvals for Lipiodol Ultra-Fluid in Japan in November 2013 and the U.S. in 2014.
