OTTAWA, CANADA, 3 February 2010 – Best Theratronics Ltd [BTL] plans to address the worldwide medical isotope shortage by manufacturing a range of Cyclotrons and locating them worldwide for the production of diagnostic and therapeutic medical isotopes. BTL will enter into partnerships with hospitals, clinics, medical and research institutions and distributors to supply isotopes in a timely fashion and at reasonable cost.
Drawing on more than 50 years in medical equipment manufacturing, this innovative new product line offers a cost-effective alternative to both short-lived and long-lived medical isotopes.
A Cyclotron uses a combination of magnets and radio frequency electric fields to accelerate ions to velocities high enough to create isotopes. BT has a unique technology to manufacture three types of Cyclotrons (14 MeV, 35 MeV and 70MeV) cost effectively, which will focus on isotopes used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Therapy by virtue of their respective energies. The initial production will be used to satisfy Team Best’s own needs for both short and long-lived isotopes and will be sited at Team Best locations around the world. This provides a unique platform to partner with, and meet the needs of, local institutions world-wide.
A B14p Cyclotron is allocated for a new molecular imaging facility in the Portuguese Azores Islands that is a cooperative project between Best, ISOPOR s.a., and the Azores government.
"This new innovation is coming at a good time. The Cyclotrons produced at BTL and distributed by Best Cyclotrons Systems Inc [BCSI] will allow uninterrupted production of isotopes for our Team Best brachytherapy supply. I have asked our team to supply a cost-effective way of overcoming the Molybdenum/Technetium-99m shortage as well" said Krish Suthanthiran, President of Best Theratronics Ltd. "This new Cyclotron product line is one of the cornerstones of the diagnostic portion of our Cure Foundation clinics and will also address the current lack of other isotopes."
Currently, BCSI is bidding on more than $100 M worth of projects requiring a range of Cyclotrons. BTL and BCSI have contracts from Best Medical International and ISOPOR sa for Cyclotrons worth more than $30 M.
About Best Theratronics Ltd: Best Theratronics Ltd. has been manufacturing, marketing, selling and servicing cobalt-based cancer therapy systems for more than 50 years. It began as a division of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and was sold to MDS Nordion before being sold to Best Medical International in early 2008. The company is located in Kanata, west of Ottawa, Ontario and its 140 employees cover expertise in manufacturing, engineering, design, radiation physics, dosimetry, worldwide logistics, sales, marketing and service. All these skills are required for Cyclotron manufacturing. It is a perfect match. See www.theratronics.ca.
About ISOPOR s.a. ISOPOR is a Portuguese spin off company of the Polytechnic Institute of Oporto, Portugal. It was established in 2005 to deliver modern molecular imaging diagnostics to Portuguese communities.
About Best Medical International: Best Medical International has served the medical community with the highest quality products and unparalleled customer service for over 30 years. Their brachytherapy seeds, gold fiducial markers, and related supplies exemplify their commitment to uncompromised quality and safety. Best Medical International, headquartered in Springfield Virginia, now encompasses a family of trusted companies and organizations with a proven track record of innovation, quality and service. Find out more at www.teambest.com.