Zevalin

Berlex Canada's ZEVALIN, recently approved for use in Canada, is a proven radioimmunotherapy treatment

OTTAWA, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MDS Nordion (TSX:MDS; NYSE:MDZ), the world's leading supplier of medical isotopes for use in nuclear medicine, targeted radiotherapies and molecular imaging in drug development, was chosen by Berlex Canada to supply Yttrium-90 Chloride Sterile Solution (Y-90) for use with Berlex's ZEVALIN(R) radioimmunotherapy indicated for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Radioimmunotherapy treats cancer with localized targeted radiation that does not have the side effects of chemotherapy or the invasiveness of surgery, thereby improving quality of life, while decreasing health care costs.

Berlex's ZEVALIN (ibritumomab tiuxetan), recently approved by Health Canada, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD20-positive low-grade or follicular B-cell NHL. ZEVALIN combines the targeting ability of an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody with the cytotoxic power of beta radiation emitted by the Y-90 isotope. Y-90 is a pure beta emitter, enabling routine out-patient administration; therefore, patients may return home or to their workplace after treatment.

"Nuclear medicine has important advantages in NHL," said Steve West, President, MDS Nordion. "Radioimmunotherapy allows haematologists to treat cancer with localized, targeted radiation that doesn't have the side effects or invasiveness of chemotherapy or surgery."

"Radioimmunotherapy is such a big step forward in the treatment of lymphoma because it destroys targeted cancer cells and it is delivered in only two visits. It has many benefits to the patient," said Alyssa Burkus Rolf, Lymphoma Foundation Canada Board President. "There have been good results in other countries to date so it is great that this drug is now available for patients in Canada."

MDS Nordion has a three-year proven track record as the sole supplier of Y-90 for ZEVALIN in the United States (Biogen Idec Inc.). MDS Nordion is pleased to now supply radiopharmacies, hospitals and clinics across Canada with secure supply and reliable distribution of Y-90 for ZEVALIN.

"Berlex regards MDS Nordion as a first class partner for medical isotopes required by a global industry," said Dr. Roland Turck, President, Berlex Canada Inc. "Partnering with MDS Nordion assures a secure supply of Y-90 to physicians and patients."

In addition to being the partner of choice for medical isotopes, MDS Nordion provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners full-service development and GMP manufacturing for clinical and commercial development of novel radiopharmaceuticals and for nuclear molecular imaging applications for drug development.

For technical information on ZEVALIN, please visit http://www.berlex.ca/. For technical information on Y-90 and our Radiopharmaceutical Services, we invite you to visit http://www.mds.nordion.com/.

How to order the ZEVALIN Kit with Y-90 Sterile Solution

New Sites: Fax a completed New Site Set Up Form and Radioactive Materials License to Berlex Canada, 1-877-410-0150 two weeks prior to first order.

To Place an Order: Call Berlex Canada, 1-888-323-7539. Orders must be received by Monday, the week before shipment. Y-90 Sterile Solution will be shipped directly to your site from MDS Nordion.

Availability: Y-90 Sterile Solution is available for use on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Berlex Canada Inc. is a research-based pharmaceutical company specializing in four therapeutic areas: oncology, gynecology and andrology, diagnostic imaging, and specialized therapeutics in neurology and gastroenterology.

About MDS Nordion

MDS Nordion (http://www.mds.nordion.com/) is a world leader in radioisotopes, molecular imaging, drug development, radiation and related technologies. MDS Nordion is part of MDS Inc. (TSX:MDS; NYSE:MDZ). MDS Inc. has more than 9,000 highly skilled people in 27 countries. We provide a diverse range of superior product and services to increase our customers' speed, precision and productivity in the drug development and disease diagnosis processes. We are a global, values-driven health and life sciences company, recognized for our reliability and collaborative relationships as we help create better outcomes in the treatment of disease. Our mission is to make a distinctive contribution to the health and well being of people. Find out more at http://www.mdsintl.com/ or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day.

Berlex Canada Inc. has licensed ZEVALIN for use in Canada.

CONTACT: Irene Crosby, Marketing Communications Manager, MDS Nordion, Tel: (613) 592-2400 ext. 2446, Email: Irene.Crosby@mdsinc.com; Teresa Fedeli, Product Manager, Oncology, Berlex Canada Inc., Tel: (514) 631-7400 ext. 2115, Email: Teresa.Fedeli@berlex.ca

COPYRIGHT 2005 PR Newswire Association LLC
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group