Prior to their announcement, in regular reviews with AECL to discuss the status of the MAPLE project, AECL had consistently maintained that it would complete the reactor project. AECL has stated that its decision will not impact current supply of medical isotopes from the NRU, and the Government has stated that it would like AECL to pursue an extension of the NRU operation beyond its current license. While MDS supports this decision, it does not adequately address long-term supply.

The Importance of Isotope Supply


Medical isotopes are used to diagnose potentially life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and to treat serious diseases such as cancer. Establishing a reliable supply of medical isotopes is an important issue for patients worldwide. The NRU is one of only four reactors in the world with the capacity to produce isotopes for commercial use. It supplies isotopes to MDS Nordion who in turn processes them into medical isotopes that are then distributed to radiopharmaceutical companies. These companies manufacture radiopharmaceuticals and distribute them to hospitals and radiopharmacies around the world.

Read DOTmed News' extensive coverage of this topic at:
https://www.dotmed.com/news/story/6026

About MDS

MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE: MDZ) is a global life sciences company that provides market-leading products and services that our customers need for the development of drugs and the 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 has more than 5,500 highly skilled people in 29 countries. Find out more at www.mdsinc.com or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222,
24 hours a day.


Back to HCB News

More Industry Headlines