MDS NORDION SUPPLIES COBALT TO STERILIZATION INDUSTRY.

(Full text of statement. Contact details below.)

OTTAWA, Ontario, Canada Feb. 26 /CNW-AsiaNet/ --

MDS Nordion, the world's largest supplier of medical isotopes, is pleased to announce it has extended an exclusive agreement with Bruce Power to provide a reliable supply of cobalt until 2019. This partnership produces over 40% of the world's supply of cobalt, used primarily for the sterilization of medical devices and consumer products.

"We are very pleased that MDS Nordion continues to invest in these partnerships," said Lin Nai-jie, General Manager of Shenzhen JPY Ion Tech Co. Ltd. "Growth in our market is significant, and a reliable, stable supply of cobalt is an important component of positioning this technology and our company as leaders in sterilization."

Today approximately 45% of the single use medical devices produced worldwide are sterilized using gamma sterilization. These include disposable medical devices and supplies such as surgeon's gloves, syringes, sutures and catheters, as well as pharmaceuticals, implants and tissue. The process, in use for more than 40 years, has been proven safe, reliable, and highly effective for sterilization, as well as disinfestation of fruits and vegetables to meet international quarantine regulations, the treatment of cosmetic products, and to enhance the material properties of polymers.

"We are committed to providing an integrated solution for our customers in the sterilization industry," said Steve West, President, MDS Nordion. "Our solution encompasses securing long-term strategic partnerships, complemented by a full breadth of ...