MDS Nordion supplies Yttrium-90 for ZEVALIN, novel radioimmunotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
20 Settembre 2005 - 2:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
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. Dose Size: 52 mCi
dose size calibrated to 12pm ET. Expiry: Y-90 Sterile Solution
expires on Fridays at 12pm ET. About Berlex Canada 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. DATASOURCE: MDS Nordion; MDS Inc.
CONTACT: Irene Crosby, Marketing Communications Manager, MDS
Nordion, Tel: (613) 592-2400 ext. 2446, Email: ; Teresa Fedeli,
Product Manager, Oncology, Berlex Canada Inc., Tel: (514) 631-7400
ext. 2115, Email:
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