MDS Nordion Opens New Radiopharmaceutical Production Facility In Belgium

Main Category: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Also Included In: MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Article Date: 01 Jun 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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MDS Nordion, a leading global provider of medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals used in molecular medicine, today announced the opening of a facility in Fleurus, Belgium for the production of Fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18 FDG), a radiopharmaceutical used in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.

PET imaging produces a three-dimensional image, or picture, of functional processes in the body, such as brain activity, and is a highly accurate and effective method of diagnosing disease and managing patient therapy. MDS Nordion's new facility will provide timely supply of F-18 FDG to hospitals throughout Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany.

"Customers count on MDS Nordion for leadership, quality products and customized services," said Steve West, President MDS Nordion. "Our investment in this facility further demonstrates our commitment to address the growing demand for PET diagnostic imaging in targeted European regions, and provides the medical community greater service for their future patient care."

The PET imaging market is the most rapidly growing area of nuclear medicine and procedures. Statistics from a recent Medical Options survey indicates PET examinations are on a rapid rise in Europe, and are expected to grow at a compound annual rate of approximately 20% through 2012. To help meet increasing demand, this state-of-the-art, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production facility will have three daily production runs and a customer service team available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"PET imaging is effective because it allows early detection of tumours, as well as assessment of therapeutic strategies," said Professor Roland Hustinx, Nuclear Medicine Department, CHU - Universite de Liege. "In particular, MDS Nordion's new facility will provide another source of supply of F-18 FDG to existing and new medical facilities, thereby increasing the ability of health-care practitioners to conduct this critical type of imaging."

Source
MDS Nordion