MDS Nordion Plans Expansion

MDS Nordion plans to grow its operations in Kanata, Ontario. The company will build a new radiopharmaceutical building and intends to expand its cobalt-60 operations. Advances in science have led to new applications for radioisotopes that provide hope for people battling diseases such as cancer.

The plan is to build a $7.3 million, two storey, 48,000 sqft building for the specialized production of radiopharmaceuticals, laboratories for microbiology and quality control and space for packaging, shipping and warehousing. The project will be complete by August 1999.

In addition, MDS Nordion intends to expand its cobalt-60 operations adding 5,000 sqft feet of production space. This is necessary in order to maintain and grow its current business of providing cobalt-60 sources for gamma sterilization systems. Cobalt-60 irradiation systems are used to sterilize surgical and medical supplies, consumer products, and to destroy harmful bacteria that cause food-borne disease. The 19 month, $5 million expansion will also accommodate production of cobalt-60 for a new medical device used to treat tumors and vascular disorders of the brain.

MDS Nordion, a health and life sciences company headquartered in Toronto, is a world leader in the production and supply of radioisotope products and technology. The company's cobalt-60 therapy machines and treatment planning software are used in cancer clinics and hospitals around the world. Every year, 15-20 million diagnostic imaging procedures are performed globally using medical isotopes from MDS Nordion. The company's cobalt-60 irradiation systems are used to sterilize surgical and medical supplies, consumer products, and to destroy harmful bacteria that cause food borne disease.

For more information: MDS Nordion, 447 March Rd., Kanata, Ontario, K2K 1X8, Canada. Tel: 613-592-3400.