MDZ Mds

New molecular imaging agents may allow early detection of the plaque associated with Alzheimer's disease OTTAWA, April 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MDS Nordion, a leading global provider of medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals used in molecular medicine, has entered into a collaboration agreement with Avid Radiopharmaceuticals Inc. to support clinical studies for Avid's novel radiopharmaceuticals designed to diagnose and monitor Alzheimer's disease. These trials will use advanced molecular imaging known as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Under the terms of the agreement, MDS Nordion will radiolabel Avid's proprietary compounds for use in proof-of-concept clinical trials for SPECT imaging of Alzheimer's disease. Avid is a pioneer in the development of radiopharmaceuticals for imaging Alzheimer's disease pathology. Increasingly, molecular imaging is being used as a biomarker tool to guide the development of new therapeutics. Avid's lead product candidates are being developed to identify amyloid protein plaques, which are thought to accumulate in the brain before the onset of clinical symptoms of the disease. Avid's compounds may enable the earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and also allow researchers to better evaluate therapeutic drug candidates for the prevention or reversal of amyloid plaque build-up in the brain. According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are approximately 5 million people in the United States who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. As the population ages that number is expected to grow significantly. Meanwhile, the costs associated with the disease are considerable. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that the direct and indirect costs for treatment and care of Alzheimer's patients in the United States alone is US $148 billion annually. "This partnership with Avid provides an exciting opportunity to develop a new molecular imaging agent that can assist researchers to identify a more effective therapy for patients with this debilitating disease," said Steve West, President of MDS Nordion. "MDS Nordion is using its proprietary technologies to work to develop these important compounds with our pharmaceutical and bio-pharmaceutical partners." MDS Nordion has an established global track-record in radiopharmaceutical formulation, production and process development. It provides integrated services that support the discovery, development and production of molecular imaging agents and radiopharmaceuticals. With GMP facilities in Ottawa and Vancouver, Canada, and Fleurus, Belgium, MDS Nordion can accommodate a variety of development, production and supply requirements. "As a world leader in molecular medicine with extensive experience and expertise in the development and production of radiopharmaceuticals, it was a natural choice for us to work with MDS Nordion on our molecular imaging agents for the early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease," said Alan Carpenter, Vice President of Business Development at Avid. About Avid Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Inc. is a product-focused molecular imaging company which is developing novel diagnostic imaging agents to enable the earlier diagnosis, treatment selection and therapeutic monitoring of major medical disorders. The company is a pioneer in the development of molecular imaging agents for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Avid's technology can be used with a variety of imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon computed tomography (SPECT) and is currently being tested in a number of initial human studies. For more information, visit http://www.avidrp.com/. About MDS Nordion MDS Nordion (http://www.mdsnordion.com/) is a world leader in medical isotopes, radiation and related technologies. It is a division of MDS Inc. (TSX:MDS)(NYSE:MDZ). MDS Inc. is a global life sciences company that provides market-leading products and services that our customers need for the development of drugs and 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 Inc. has more than 6,200 highly skilled people in 28 countries. Find out more at http://www.mdsinc.com/ or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day. DATASOURCE: MDS Nordion CONTACT: Media Inquiries, Tamra Benjamin, Director, Marketing Communications, MDS Nordion, (613) 592-3400 x1022, ; Investor Inquiries, Sharon Mathers, Senior Vice-President, Investor Relations and External Communications, (416) 675-6777 ext. 34721,

Copyright