OTTAWA, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - MDS Nordion, a
leading provider of products and services to the global health
science market, today announced it has extended its existing
agreement with Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG), the
Canadian-based electricity generation company, until 2020 for the
secure supply of cobalt-60 used in gamma sterilization technologies
around the world.
Under the terms of the agreement, OPG will continue to supply
raw materials to MDS Nordion for use in their medical sterilization
and sealed source products. The agreement provides MDS Nordion with
additional long-term supply for its global customer base.
"Executing on this agreement demonstrates to our current and
prospective customers that the Company remains committed to
securing long-term supply of cobalt-60," says Jill Chitra, Senior Vice-President, Strategic
Technologies and Regulatory Affairs. "It also enables MDS Nordion
to continue building on its strong market position in the
sterilization industry."
Approximately 40 per cent of single use medical devices produced
worldwide are sterilized using gamma sterilization technologies.
These include disposable medical devices and supplies such as
surgeon's gloves, syringes, sutures and catheters, as well as
pharmaceuticals. Many organizations use gamma sterilization for the
purpose of disinfestation of fruits and vegetables to meet
international quarantine regulations. In addition, it can be used
to sterilize cosmetic products and to enhance the material
properties of polymers.
"We continue to build on our solid partnership with MDS
Nordion," said Bill Robinson,
Executive Vice President, Nuclear Refurbishment, OPG. "This supply
agreement demonstrates OPG's commitment to MDS Nordion as a valued
customer and highlights a significant contribution made by Nuclear
Power to society well being."
About MDS Inc.
MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE: MDZ) is a global health science
company that provides market-leading products and services used for
the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. We are a
leading provider of innovative technologies for use in medical
imaging and radiotherapeutics, and sterilization technologies
benefiting the lives of millions of people in more than 65
countries around the world. Our products and services are used
daily by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical-device
manufacturers, hospitals, clinics and research laboratories. MDS
has more than 700 highly skilled people in five locations. Find out
more at www.mdsnordion.com.
SOURCE MDS Inc.
Copyright . 13 PR Newswire