Rapiscan is launched in the UK
First European country to have access to stress agent for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy
GE Healthcare and Rapidscan Pharma Solutions EU have launched Rapiscan (regadenoson solution for injection) in the UK.
Rapiscan is a pharmacological stress agent for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in adult patients unable to undergo adequate exercise stress in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.
RapidScan Pharma claims Rapiscan is the first and only non-weight based, infusion pump-free pharmacological stress agent available in the UK.
Unlike older agents, Rapiscan requires no dose adjustment for varying body weight and is administered as a 10-second injection, which cuts the need for an infusion pump, extension line and infusion line set-up.
Regadenoson was discovered and developed by CV Therapeutics and was approved by the US FDA in April 2008, where it is sold by Astellas Pharma US.
Gilead Sciences acquired CV Therapeutics in 2009.
The drug was granted an EU Commission licence by the European Medicine Agency in September 2010.
GE Healthcare distributes Rapiscan (regadensoson) in the UK and Germany.
