Lu(Y)AP crystal eyes PET market May 15, 2007

Lu(Y)AP crystal ensures significant image quality and sensitivity improvements to PET scanners, one of the most advanced nuclear imaging technologies available for medical and pharmaceutical applications.

Lainate (Milan), Italy – March 13, 2007

The SAES Getters Group, world leader in getter technologies for ultra/high vacuum maintenance and a key supplier of advanced materials for industrial applications, today announced it is ready to deliver the novel Lu(Y)AP scintillation crystal for next-generation Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners. One of the most advanced nuclear imaging technologies available for medical and pharmaceutical applications, PET is used for diagnostic examination that involves the acquisition of physiologic images based on the detection of gamma rays from the emission of positrons.

The novel Lu(Y)AP crystal material has been developed by SAES Optoelectronic Materials Lab and is fabricated with the Czochralski technique at the Group’s plant in Lainate, Italy.

Lu(Y)AP has been under investigation for about 15 years mainly by the Crystal Clear Collaboration (CCC), an interdisciplinary academic consortium hosted by CERN, that designed a high resolution small imaging PET scanner based on Lu(Y)AP crystal (ClearPET). However, due to difficulties encountered in crystal growth processes, Lu(Y)AP scintillating material is scaling up to market-size production only now, with SAES Getters currently being the only producer worldwide of high quality crystals, offered in large boule formats. Lu(Y)AP improved energy resolution, fast decay time (20 ns) and high stopping power make it a unique scintillation material to be used in medical imaging devices. Also, its excellent high temperature performance is not typical of any other scintillating materials.

Lu(Y)AP is essential in the phoswich design used in ClearPET that will ensure remarkable enhancements in PET diagnostics, in terms of better image resolution, reduced scan time, reduced random noise and low scatter fraction.

In addition to medical imaging diagnostics, Lu(Y)AP mentioned features and its very good response linearity make it a candidate of choice also for all applications where precise gamma ray spectroscopy is required, such as industrial and homeland security equipment.

As commented by Dr. Paul Lecoq from CERN, one of the founders of the Crystal Clear Collaboration: "Having worked for 25 years on the research and development of scintillators for particle and medical imaging detectors, I believe that LuYAP and LuAP crystals have a unique combination of attractive properties that can make them very appealing for the market in the future, if they can be grown in good and reproducible conditions. And SAES Getters has clearly made a very convincing step in this direction".

Initial application of SAES’ Lu(Y)AP scintillation crystals will be PET scanners for small animals that need more performing components for a higher definition in image resolution: small animal PET is mainly used in pharmaceutical industry laboratories and research centers working at the development of new drugs, as well as in research projects for the human genome decoding. Clinical PET equipment, especially for pediatric care, is subsequently expected to benefit from the adoption of SAES’ high quality scintillation crystals: next-generation PET will permit earlier and most powerful detection for cancer pathologies, for heart and coronary artery diseases and for neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s one and depression.

According to analyst data, the compound annual growth rate for small animal PET through 2012 is projected to be 25.6% for the U.S. market – currently the driving market, followed by Western Europe and Japan – with over 50% annual growth rate in 2006-2007 1, while revenues for the U.S. crystal market are forecasted at 10 million usd in year 2012.

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1 Source: Frost & Sullivan/Thomson Corporation

For further information: www.saesgetters.com

About the SAES Getters Group
Pioneering the development of getter technology, the SAES Getters Group is the world leader in a variety of scientific and industrial applications where stringent vacuum conditions or ultra-pure gases are required. For 60 years its getter solutions have been supporting innovation in the information display and lamp industries, in technologies spanning from large vacuum power tubes to miniaturized silicon-based micromechanical devices, as well as in sophisticated high vacuum systems and in vacuum thermal insulation. The Group also holds a leading position in ultra pure gas handling for the semiconductor and other hi-tech markets. Starting in 2004, by leveraging the core competencies in special metallurgy and materials science, the SAES Getters Group has expanded its business into advanced material markets, with the introduction of new optical crystal, shape memory alloy and metalorganic precursor product lines. A total production capacity distributed at 8 manufacturing plants across 3 continents, a worldwidebased sales & service network, over 800 employees allow the Group to combine multicultural skills and expertise to form a truly global enterprise. SAES Getters is headquartered in the Milan area (Italy) and has been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange Market, STAR segment, since 1986.

Forward- looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements which are based upon current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by the Company. These factors include the Company’s ability to introduce new products at planned costs and on planned schedules, the Company’s ability to maintain key client relationships and the environments of the various economies in the countries the Company conducts business. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

PR contact
SAES Getters Group
Marina Perino
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Technical and sales contact
SAES Getters Group
Mario Musolino
Business Development Area Manager
Optoelectronic Materials

Ph. +39 02 93178271
Fax: +39 02 93178320
e-mail: Mario_musolino@saes-group.com