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Microbubbles

University of Nebraska · Phase 1 active Small molecule ✓ Verified Jun 2026

Microbubbles is a Small molecule drug developed by University of Nebraska. It is currently in Phase 1 development. Also known as: DEFINITY® (Perflutren Lipid Microsphere) manufactured by Lantheus Medical Imaging, OPTISON™ (Perflutren Protein-Type A Microspheres Injectable Suspension, USP) manufactured by General Electric Global Research.

Microbubbles are bubbles smaller than one hundredth of a millimeter in diameter, used in various applications including industry, medicine, and life science. In medical research, microbubbles have been studied as a potential tool for diagnostic imaging and treatment of conditions such as ductal carcinoma in-situ and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

Likelihood of approval
9.6% vs 9.6% industry baseline
If approved by FDA: likely 2033–2036
Steps remaining: Phase 2 → Phase 3 → NDA/BLA submission
Confidence: Medium
Why this estimate
  • Baseline phase 1 → approval rate +9.6pp
    Industry-wide phase 1 drugs reach approval ~9.6% of the time (BIO/Informa 2023 industry benchmark across all therapeutic areas).
Predicted approval windows by jurisdiction (conditional on FDA approval)
Regulator Country Likely year Lag vs FDA
FDA US 2033–2036
EMA EU 2034–2037 +0.7 yr
MHRA GB 2034–2037 +0.7 yr
Health Canada CA 2034–2038 +0.9 yr
TGA AU 2034–2038 +1.2 yr
PMDA JP 2034–2038 +1.5 yr
NMPA CN 2035–2039 +2.3 yr
MFDS KR 2034–2038 +1.4 yr
CDSCO IN 2034–2039 +1.8 yr
ANVISA BR 2035–2039 +2.3 yr

Hover any row for the lag rationale. Lag estimates are reduced when the drug has FDA Breakthrough or EMA PRIME designation (sponsors file globally in parallel).

Estimate based on the BIO/Informa industry phase transition rates plus per-drug modifiers for therapeutic area, sponsor type, FDA designations, mechanism, and trial design. Per-jurisdiction lags from Tufts CSDD international approval studies. Not investment, clinical or regulatory advice. Methodology: /methodology#likelihood.

At a glance

Generic nameMicrobubbles
Also known asDEFINITY® (Perflutren Lipid Microsphere) manufactured by Lantheus Medical Imaging, OPTISON™ (Perflutren Protein-Type A Microspheres Injectable Suspension, USP) manufactured by General Electric Global Research
SponsorUniversity of Nebraska
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaOther
PhasePhase 1

Approved indications

No approved indications tracked.

Common side effects

No common side effects on file.

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

Frequently asked questions about Microbubbles

What is Microbubbles?

Microbubbles is a Small molecule drug developed by University of Nebraska.

Who makes Microbubbles?

Microbubbles is developed by University of Nebraska (see full University of Nebraska pipeline at /company/university-of-nebraska).

Is Microbubbles also known as anything else?

Microbubbles is also known as DEFINITY® (Perflutren Lipid Microsphere) manufactured by Lantheus Medical Imaging, OPTISON™ (Perflutren Protein-Type A Microspheres Injectable Suspension, USP) manufactured by General Electric Global Research.

What development phase is Microbubbles in?

Microbubbles is in Phase 1.

Related

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing