News Release | For Immediate Release | October 28, 2004
Successful collaboration recognized for "best practices" between commercial and public sector
(Vancouver, BC) -- MDS Nordion, the world's leading supplier of medical isotopes for nuclear medicine, and TRIUMF, one of Canada's premier international scientific institutions, have received a 2004 Synergy Award for Innovation from Science and Engineering Research Canada (NSERC). The award recognizes lasting research and development partnerships between universities and industry. Since their inception in 1995, the award has showcased innovation and the benefits of pooling resources to make the most of Canadian ingenuity. The awards will be presented tonight at the 10th Annual Synergy Awards Gala held in Waterloo, ON.
"We are very pleased that NSERC has recognized the TRIUMF-MDS Nordion relationship as a model of a public-private partnership in Canada. The partnership has not only been mutually beneficial to both parties, but has also benefited all Canadians with its advanced medical applications," says Dr. Jean-Michel Poutissou, Associate Director and Head of the Science Division at TRIUMF.
Mr. Philip Gardner, Head of the Technology Transfer Division at TRIUMF, noted that a report by the U.S. Institute of Medicine Committee on Biomedical Isotopes to the U.S. Department of Energy, recognized the TRIUMF-MDS Nordion success, stating: "This cooperative arrangement between government and industry at Canada's TRIUMF facility has led to successful technology transfer to the private sector and should be emulated in the United States."
"TRIUMF is a pivotal institution for nuclear medicine research in Canada," says Iain Trevena, Senior Vice President, Nuclear Medicine at MDS Nordion. "Our access to the level of knowledge and expertise at TRIUMF significantly enhances our ability to serve the global nuclear medicine market. In turn, this work enables us to form parnerships with biopharmaceutical companies to develop and manufacture innovative products for the treatment and diagnosis of disease."
MDS Nordion and TRIUMF have worked in partnership for more than 25 years. Their unique collaboration has produced several pioneering developments including the production of high-purity iodine-123, used for the management of thyroid cancer as well as imaging cardiac and neurological disorders, and a patented high-volume production method for palladium-103, used in leading edge brachytherapy treatments for prostate, breast, and other cancers.
TRIUMF's scientific research investigates particles and forces that comprise the very essence of our entire world and the universe around us. This, together with numerous international collaborations, has resulted in advances in other scientific fields including medical imaging and therapies, the structure of new materials, the study of fast chemical processes, other areas in the life sciences, and critical aspects of the environment.
"The Synergy Awards celebrate and recognize effective partnerships that connect our university-based research leaders with those in the private sector who can deliver research results to the marketplace," said NSERC President, Tom Brzustowski.
ABOUT TRIUMF
TRIUMF is Canada's National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics. Located on the south campus of the University of British Columbia, TRIUMF is owned and operated as a joint venture by a consortium of the following Canadian universities, via a contribution through the National Research Council Canada: University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, Carleton University, University of Guelph, University of Manitoba, McMaster University, Université de Montréal, Queen's University, University of Regina, Simon Fraser University, Saint Mary's University, University of Toronto, University of Victoria, York University.
ABOUT MDS NORDION
MDS Nordion (www.mds.nordion.com), is a world leader in radioisotopes, radiation and related technologies. MDS Nordion is part of MDS Inc. At MDS Inc., our 10,000 highly skilled people provide services, products and instruments enabling health sciences organizations to enhance the well being of people around the world. We focus on helping discover and test new drugs, assisting doctors to diagnose and treat patients and preventing the spread of disease. Find out more about MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE: MDZ), at www.mdsintl.com or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day.
ABOUT NSERC
Science and Engineering Research Canada (www.nserc.ca), also known as NSERC, is a key federal agency investing in people, discovery and innovation. It supports both basic university research through research grants, and project research through partnership among postsecondary institutions, government and the private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people.