MDS Inc. Completes Divestiture of Central Labs Operations
November 02 2009 - 8:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
TORONTO, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE:
MDZ), a leading provider of products and services to the global
life sciences markets, today announced that it has completed the
divestiture of its Central Labs operations to Czura Thornton, a
private investment group based in Jersey, Channel Islands. Central
Labs provides a comprehensive range of late-stage laboratory
services to global clients, including standardized assays, cardiac
services, integrated data management, international laboratory
study co-ordination and site support from 600 employees at six
sites in Europe, North America and Asia. "The completion of this
transaction supports the Company's strategy to focus on its MDS
Nordion business," said Stephen P. DeFalco, President and Chief
Executive Officer of MDS Inc. "MDS Nordion remains committed to
innovation and operational excellence to further build its
leadership positions in the provision of medical isotopes for
molecular and diagnostic imaging, radiotherapeutics and
sterilization technologies." MDS Inc. Strategic Repositioning On
September 2, 2009, MDS announced it had reached an agreement with
Danaher Corporation to sell its MDS Analytical Technologies
business. The Company also announced that it intends to sell its
remaining MDS Pharma Services business, a leading provider of
innovative drug discovery and early-stage development solutions for
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Upon completion of
these transactions, the Company will be focused solely on its MDS
Nordion business, which is a leading provider of medical isotopes
for molecular and diagnostic imaging, radiotherapeutics and
sterilization technologies. Additional background materials
pertaining to the new strategic direction for MDS Inc. can be found
on MDS Inc.'s Website at
http://www.mdsinc.com/strategic_repositioning_of_mds/index.asp.
There can be no assurance that MDS will complete a transaction
involving MDS Pharma Services. If MDS determines that there is not
an acceptable transaction, it intends to retain and invest in
building the business. About Czura Thornton Czura Thornton is a
private investment firm that has extensive experience in
international business, contract research and medical laboratories.
The firm is invested in the life sciences, property and
transportation sectors. Further information can be found at
http://www.czurathornton.com/. About MDS MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE:
MDZ) is a global life sciences company that provides market-leading
products and services that our customers need for the development
of drugs and diagnosis and treatment of disease. We are a leading
global provider of pharmaceutical contract research, medical
isotopes for molecular imaging, radiotherapeutics, and analytical
instruments. MDS has more than 3,600 highly skilled people in 13
countries. Find out more at http://www.mdsinc.com/ or by calling
1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day. DATASOURCE: MDS Inc. CONTACT:
MEDIA: Janet Ko, (905) 267-4226, ; INVESTORS: Peter Dans, (905)
267-4230,
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