The bad week for medical applications of nanotechnologies continues with the news that a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee voted to not recommend agency approval for the Advanced Magnetics nanoparticle based magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent Combidex. Trade in shares of Advanced Magnetics was suspended ahead of the panel’s decision.
While a blow to Advanced Magnetics, the FDA ruling does not slam the door shut. Many nanotech companies, like their biotech cousins, may find many obstacles between a promising technology and those tantalising markets.