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WATERTOWN, Mass. (AP) -- Shares of Acusphere Inc. rose in aftermarket trading Monday after the drug developer said its experimental imaging agent is structurally different from similar products that have come under government scrutiny. Earlier Monday, shares plummeted 31 cents, or 18.7 percent, to $1.35 after news reports the government is seeking new warning labels for certain contrast agents, which are used to improve the visibility of heart scans. An FDA spokeswoman confirmed Monday the agency is investigating reports of death and heart problems in patients treated with drugs from Bristol-Myers Squibb and General Electric. The agency asked both companies to add warnings about the risks to their products' labeling. The drugs are delivered via injection prior to an echocardiogram, or an ultrasound of the heart, to improve visibility of the image. Acusphere is preparing to submit its own contrast agent, Imagify, to FDA later this year. The company said in a statement there have been no reported deaths in more than 1,000 patients who were tested with the drug. Acusphere currently has no products on the market. "We remain convinced that Imagify is poised to address a potential multi-billion dollar market in the U.S. alone," the company said in a statement. In aftermarket trading, Acusphere shares rebounded 7 cents, or 5.2 percent, to $1.42.
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