Leading experts will increase focus on emerging opportunities in developing markets PHILADELPHIA, PA, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MDS Pharma Services, a leading provider of innovative drug discovery and development solutions, has hired two industry experts, Dr. Claudio Carini, a globally recognized leader for his work in developing and applying biomarkers to indicate the risk, presence and progression of diseases; and Suzanne Sensabaugh, a global leader recognized for her regulatory expertise in helping clients in the development of biopharmaceuticals. These new hires are the latest in a series of changes at MDS Pharma Services designed to sharpen the focus on new business opportunities in drug and biopharmaceutical development as part of its plans to support the new growth strategy at MDS Inc. Dr Carini has been appointed as Vice-President of Translational Medicine, an emerging area in medical research aimed at improving the drug discovery and development process by expediting the translation of basic discovery research into personalized patient care. In this position, Dr. Carini will manage and direct The Biomarker Alliance(TM), (http://www.mdsps.com/Biomarkers/alliance.htm) which provides one-stop shopping for biomarker service providers to join together to design and execute a wide range of biomarker discovery and development programs. Dr. Carini draws upon his more than 25 years experience as a physician and scientist in industry and academia to provide expertise to MDS Pharma Services and its clients in translational medicine and biomarker development and applications. He most recently served as Vice- President and Global Head of Biomarkers, at Roche Pharma and is well known for his development of several products to provide anti-infective and anti-inflammatory relief for patients. "We are delighted to welcome a scientist of Dr. Carini's caliber to our team to lead our efforts to assist clients in bridging the gap between preclinical discovery and clinical development," said MDS Pharma Services President David Spaight. "His expertise in biomarkers will strengthen our ability to help our clients move compounds from the lab bench to bedside." Dr. Carini's experience includes: - Professionally certified in Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology, Respiratory Medicine and Pathology - Held teaching positions in Immunology at Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, and the universities of Rome and London - Vice-President and Global Head of Biomarkers, at Roche Pharma, where he developed global strategic plans for therapeutic remedies; supervised medical teams through Phase I, II and III clinical trials; and managed alliances for biomarker discovery - Global Director for Translational Medicine and Therapeutic Area Head for Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Novartis - His academic credentials include a M.D. degree from Italy's University of Palermo, graduate work in Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology at the University of Rome, in Florence, and the University of London, where he earned a Ph.D. in Immunology, and M.R.C. Path. and F.R.C. Path. certification in Immunology. Suzanne Sensabaugh has been named Vice-President of Biopharmaceutical Development, where she will play a leadership role in this area. In this role, Ms. Sensabaugh will lead the consulting group responsible for development of biopharmaceuticals, which are drugs produced by living organisms used for therapy or diagnosis. She served most recently as Vice-President for U.S. Regulatory Affairs and Senior Director for Global Biogenerics at Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries and she has more than 10 years of experience at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation. Ms. Sensabaugh will use her expertise to help MDS clients meet regulatory requirements as they explore exciting new areas of biopharmaceutical development. "Ms. Sensabaugh brings to the position a profound understanding of global biopharmaceutical development regulations, from both the regulatory agency and biotech industry perspectives," said MDS Pharma Services President David Spaight. "Her vast range of experiences in both the biotechnology industry and the FDA will provide the in-depth expertise that our clients need to effectively manage regulatory requirements in new areas of drug development." Ms. Sensabaugh's experience includes: - Vice-President for U.S. Regulatory Affairs and Senior Director for Global Biogenerics at Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries, where she developed and oversaw regulatory strategies and contributed to drug development programs for innovative biotechnology products, biological devices, and synthetic peptides - Vice-President for Regulatory Affairs and Quality, Biotechnology Division of SICOR Inc., where she developed and implemented the global regulatory strategy for biogeneric and innovative biotech product lines - Associate Director for Regulatory Affairs with Genzyme, where she was responsible for global regulatory affairs for enzyme replacement therapies - More than 10 years of experience at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Review, as a researcher, product reviewer, and inspector for biologics/biotechnology products. She also had extensive involvement in the development and implementation of standard operating procedures, guidance, regulations and legislation. Prior to leaving the FDA, she was Special Assistant to the Associate Director of Policy in the Office of the Center Director - Her academic credentials include a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Maryland at College Park, an M.S. in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University, and an M.B.A. in General Management from Duke University. About MDS Pharma Services MDS Pharma Services offers a full spectrum of resources to meet the drug discovery and development needs of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With numerous facilities strategically located around the world, the company applies advanced scientific and technological expertise to each stage of the drug discovery and development process - Early Stage: lead optimization, pre-IND research, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical development, early clinical research (bioequivalence, phases I-IIa) and bioanalysis; and Late Stage: global clinical development (phases IIb-IV) and central lab. For more information, visit MDS Pharma Services' Web site at http://www.mdsps.com/. MDS Pharma Services is an integral part of MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE: MDZ). MDS Inc. has more than 8,800 highly skilled people in 28 countries. It provides a diverse range of superior products and services to increase customers' speed, precision and productivity in the drug development and disease diagnosis processes. MDS is a global, values-driven life sciences company, recognized for its reliability and collaborative relationships that help create better outcomes in the treatment of disease. Find out more at http://www.mdsinc.com/ or by calling 1-800-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day. DATASOURCE: MDS Pharma Services CONTACT: MDS information contact: For Investors: Sharon Mathers, (416) 675-6777 ext. 4721, ; For Media: Charlene McGrady, (610) 239-7900, ext. 231,

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