MDS Nordion Supports GlaxoSmithKline Inc. in Providing Innovative Cancer Treatment to Canadians
24 November 2005 - 1:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Bexxar(TM) therapy now available to Canadians with non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma OTTAWA, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MDS Nordion, a
leader in the nuclear medicine industry, is collaborating with
GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (GSK), to supply and manufacture the
radiopharmaceutical component, iodine-131 (I-131), used in
Bexxar(TM) therapy. Made by GSK, Bexxar is the latest in a new
generation of patient-tailored cancer treatments that specifically
targets non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cells, while minimizing risk
to surrounding healthy cells. Recently approved in Canada, and now
available, Bexxar is a radioimmunotherapy indicated for the
treatment of patients with CD20 positive relapsed or refactory, low
grade, follicular, or transformed NHL, including patients with
rituximab-refractory NHL. The I-131 component of Bexxar allows the
treatment to be given at a dose specific to individual patient
characteristics, thereby reducing the risk of either under or
over-dosing of radiation. Usually given in an outpatient setting,
Bexxar is administered in a short course of treatment and can
provide long-lasting responses in some patients whose disease has
not responded to other treatments. "Working with organizations like
MDS Nordion has been important to bringing Bexxar to Canadian
patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma," said Dr. John Dillon,
Vice-President Medical Division and Chief Medical Officer,
GlaxoSmithKline Inc. "We are pleased that through our ongoing
relationship we may be able to have a significant, positive impact
on patients' lives." "Working with GSK provides MDS Nordion with an
opportunity to build and strengthen our relationship while
delivering Bexxar to the Canadian healthcare industry," said Steve
West, President of MDS Nordion. "Radioimmunotherapy has been, and
continues to be, vital, valuable and necessary in cancer therapy.
Our 60-plus years of experience have made it possible for MDS
Nordion to provide new and innovative cancer treatments, like
Bexxar, to physicians and patients, making a difference in people's
lives." As a radioimmunotherapy, Bexxar is less invasive than
surgery, with mostly mild to moderate side effects, compared to
traditional forms of cancer therapy, and enables routine
out-patient administration so patients can return home following
treatment. Bexxar is a combination of two essential components: a
cytotoxic monoclonal antibody (tositumomab) which targets the
tumour, and the patient-specific radiation of I-131 that delivers
the therapeutic dose. NHL is a group of cancers that affects the
patient's lymphatic system. According to the Canadian Cancer
Society, the incidence of NHL in Canada continues to rise with an
approximate 6,400 new cases in 2005 and 3,000 deaths as a result of
the disease. About MDS Nordion MDS Nordion
(http://www.mds.nordion.com/) is a world leader in radioisotopes,
radiation and related technologies. MDS Nordion is part of MDS Inc.
(TSX:MDS; NYSE:MDZ). MDS Inc. has more than 8,800 highly skilled
people in 27 countries. We provide a diverse range of superior
products and services to increase our customers' speed, precision
and productivity in the drug development and disease diagnosis
processes. We are a global, values-driven health and life sciences
company, recognized for our reliability and collaborative
relationships as we help create better outcomes in the treatment of
disease. Find out more at http://www.mdsinc.com/ or by calling
1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day. BEXXAR(TM) is used under license by
GlaxoSmithKline Inc. DATASOURCE: MDS Nordion; MDS Inc. CONTACT:
Shelley Maclean, External Communications, MDS Nordion, Tel: (613)
592-3400 ext. 2414, E-mail:
Copyright