In June 2006 Bayer AG has bought the majority of shares of Schering AG. As a result of this take-over Schering AG has been renamed in December 2006 in Bayer Schering Pharma AG. The Bayer Schering Pharma AG is part of the Bayer HealthCare AG, which represents the pharmaceutical part of the Bayer Group.
Berlex Laboratories (USA) and Berlex Canada Inc., former affiliates of Schering AG, have been integrated into Bayer HealthCare and operate as a specialty pharmaceuticals business that also sells MRI contrast agents, under the name Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, which is a subsidiary of Bayer Schering Pharma AG.

The company is developing and making specialized medicines for treating multiple sclerosis, dermatological disorders, female health concerns, cancer and is creating new diagnostic imaging techniques. Berlex, Inc. is a pioneer in the imaging market. It has introduced a broad range of imaging agents. Its contribution began in 1988 with the introduction of the world's first magnetic resonance imaging agent, Magnevist® (gadopentetate dimeglumine) injection. Berlex is headquartered in New Jersey and the U.S. affiliate of Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany.

Biliscopin® Infusion, an iodinated contrast medium for intravenous cholecystography is secreted actively by the hepatocytes. The biliary excretion rate of a biliary contrast medium is determined by the binding to plasma proteins and liver receptor proteins, and by its transport maximum for the liver. Because of its high hepatocellular transport rate, Biliscopin® Infusion leads rapidly to high grade contrast density in the intra-hepatic and extra-hepatic biliary ducts as well as in the gallbladder.
Computed tomography with biliary contrast agents provides maximum quality preoperative imaging of the biliary tract.

The intact blood brain barrier prevents that contrast agents penetrate in the normal brain tissue. If the blood brain barrier is damaged by a malignant tumor, the contrast medium can accumulate within the interstitial tumor tissue due to the alterations in the blood brain barrier permeability. Adjacent normal brain tissue does not contain the contrast agent.

A clinical trial is a controlled study involving human subjects, designed to evaluate prospectively the safety and effectiveness of new drugs or devices or of behavioral interventions.

See also Adverse Reaction and Safety of Contrast Agents.