GE HealthCare (Nasdaq: GEHC), a medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics and digital solutions company, on Monday announced successful Phase I clinical trial results for a novel macrocyclic manganese-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, presented at the 2024 Contrast Media Research symposium in Oslo, Norway. The study indicates the agent was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events, dose-limiting toxicities, or clinically relevant findings reported.

If approved, this agent may offer a viable alternative to traditional gadolinium-based contrast agents, addressing concerns related to gadolinium retention and environmental impact from post-patient excretion. Its relaxivity is comparable to that of gadolinium products, supporting its potential diagnostic effectiveness.

Conducted at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, the Phase I trial received partial funding from the Norwegian Research Council. GE HealthCare operates two contrast media facilities in Norway, including a site in Oslo that marks its 150th anniversary this year, and an active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing site in Lindesnes, celebrating 50 years of production.

As a leader in imaging agents for over 40 years, GE HealthCare's Pharmaceutical Diagnostics unit supports around 120 million procedures annually. The company, with a valuation of USD19.6bn and a workforce of approximately 51,000, is committed to advancing healthcare through innovative solutions and services that enhance patient care across various settings.