[News-releases] MDS Nordion and TRIUMF Collaborate to Study Development of Photo-Fission-Produced Molybdenum-99

[Tim Meyer]

* For Immediate Release *

MDS NORDION AND TRIUMF COLLABORATE TO STUDY DEVELOPMENT OF
PHOTO-FISSION-PRODUCED MOLYBDENUM-99 

Collaboration Examines New Technology Alternative for Medical Isotope Supply

OTTAWA, CANADA,  April 28, 2009 – MDS Nordion, a leading global provider of
medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals used in molecular medicine, and
TRIUMF, Canada’s national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics, today
announced they have signed an agreement to study the feasibility of
producing a viable and reliable supply of photo-fission-produced
molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) used globally for diagnostic medical imaging. 

MDS Nordion and TRIUMF will also provide their respective expertise and
resources to collaboratively develop a commercialization plan, which will
include an operational plan, business model and time lines.

Medical isotopes produced using photo-fission employ the use of a linear
accelerator rather than a nuclear reactor; as such, the need to ship and
handle highly enriched uranium is eliminated in favour of naturally
occurring uranium. This method also provides a potential alternate solution
through which to supplement the production capacity of Mo-99, and lessen the
reliance on existing nuclear research reactors.

 “This integrated collaboration is a positive step toward achieving an
additional medical-isotope solution to meet the increased needs of the
global nuclear medicine community,” said MDS Nordion President Steve West.
“With the superior level of the science at TRIUMF, combined with Nordion’s
market and technical expertise, we seek to provide a flexible, reliable and
responsive medical-isotope solution to potentially strengthen the global
supply chain.”

Statistics from Arlington Medical Resources, Inc., a Philadelphia-based
pharmaceutical market research firm, show that every year more than 15
million patients in North America are diagnosed or treated with nuclear
medicine procedures. Today, 80% of these procedures rely on one key medical
isotope, Mo-99, which is largely used to diagnose heart disease and cancer.

“MDS Nordion’s processing experience and TRIUMF’s proven knowledge of
physics, and accelerator and target expertise is a strong combination,” said
TRIUMF Director Nigel Lockyer. “MDS Nordion’s significant market presence,
along with TRIUMF’s science and technology proficiencies, could create a
great opportunity through which to address the increasing domestic and
international demand for molybdenum-99.”

MDS Nordion and TRIUMF have a 30-year history of successful partnership with
a renewed commitment focused on research and development. This commercial
relationship has resulted in a number of pioneering developments – including
receipt in 2004 of the NSERC Synergy Award for Innovation for the most
outstanding achievements of university-industry collaboration. Building on
this established foundation, the agreement between MDS Nordion and TRIUMF to
study the feasibility of producing a viable and reliable supply of
photo-fission Mo-99 for diagnostic medical imaging continues to use both
partners’ complementary expertise and skills in the field of molecular
imaging technology. 

About TRIUMF
TRIUMF is Canada’s national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics.
Located on the south campus of the University of British Columbia, TRIUMF is
owned and operated as a joint venture, via a contribution through National
Research Council Canada and supported by the Province of British Columbia,
by a consortium of the following Canadian universities: University of
Alberta, University of British Columbia, Carleton University, University of
Manitoba, l’Université de Montréal, Simon Fraser University, University of
Toronto, and University of Victoria. To learn more about TRIUMF, go to
http://www.triumf.ca.

About MDS Nordion
MDS Nordion, a business unit of MDS Inc., is a global leader in providing
medical isotopes for molecular and diagnostic imaging, radiotherapeutics and
sterilization technologies for medical products that benefit the lives of
millions of people in more than 50 countries around the world. MDS Nordion’s
products and services are used on a daily basis by pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies, medical-device manufacturers, hospitals, clinics
and research laboratories. Find out more at www.mdsnordion.com 

About MDS
MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE: MDZ) is a global life sciences company that
provides market-leading products and services that our customers need for
the development of drugs, and the diagnosis and treatment of disease. We are
a leading global provider of pharmaceutical contract research, medical
isotopes for molecular imaging, radiotherapeutics, and analytical
instruments. MDS has more than 5,000 highly skilled people in 29 countries.
Find out more at www.mdsinc.com or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a
day.

SOURCE: MDS


********************************************************
Timothy I. Meyer, Ph.D.
Head, Strategic Planning and Communications
TRIUMF
4004 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 2A3
Tel: 604-222-7674
Cell: 650-464-8955
E-mail: tmeyer at triumf.ca
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