Molecular Biosystems Inc. said that the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office allowed a continuation-in-part for its patentapplication for an orally administered abdominal ultrasoundcontrast agent.

The San Diego company received a patent for the agent inApril. No ultrasound contrast agents for use with abdominalimaging are yet available commercially.

The continuation of the patent expands the range of substancesthat may make up the agent.

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