Gadokvatran (contrast agent)

History

2025: Product Announcement

In late June 2025, Bayer announced the release of a new gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A substance called gadokvatran is intended for adults and children, including full-term newborns.

Gadolinium is the basis of paramagnetic contrast agents, which are used in MRI to improve the imaging of certain structures. The contrast drug is given intravenously and accumulates in areas with increased blood supply - for example, in malignant formations. Contrast agents help differentiate tumor appearance, size, etc. MRI diagnostics with a contrast agent are also indicated in patients with multiple sclerosis, in which it is difficult to determine the stage of the course of the disease by symptoms.

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Фото: Freepik

However, some studies show that gadolinium contrast agents are able to accumulate in organs, leading to their dysfunction. In particular, these substances can precipitate in brain tissues. Gadokvatran can partially solve the problem by reducing the concentration of gadolinium.

As Bayer notes, gadokvatran is used at a dosage of 0.04 mmol gadolinium per kilogram of body weight. This corresponds to a 60% reduction compared to macrocyclic GBCA administered at 0.1 mmol gadolinium per kilogram body weight. The new substance is also intended for MRI of the nervous system.

Reducing the dose of gadolinium will positively affect the health of people, especially in the case of patients with chronic diseases who require several contrast MRI examinations during their lifetime, says Dr. Konstanze Diefenbach, head of research and development in radiology at Bayer.[1]

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