Syncor International Corp. (Nasdaq:SCOR) today announced that its subsidiary, Syncor Overseas Ltd., has entered into an agreement with Soreq NRC, a branch of the government of Israel, and Isorad Ltd., Soreq's commercial arm, to establish an FDG production center to manufacture and commercially distribute FDG in Israel.
Syncor and Soreq will jointly operate the FDG center to ensure that the quality of service and products produced by the FDG center meets both Syncor and Soreq's high standards.
The cyclotron selected for commercial FDG production is manufactured by Ion Beam Applications S.A., a Belgium-based manufacturer and designer of cyclotrons.
FDG stands for F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose and is the most common short-lived radiopharmaceutical used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). It allows more accurate and precise diagnosis of tumors at an early stage and thus more appropriate treatment. As such, it is considered to be the solution of choice for the diagnosis of cancer and for monitoring a patient's response to cancer treatment.
Whereas traditional diagnostic techniques such as X-rays, CT (computerized tomography) scans or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), produce static images of the body's anatomy or structure, PET is a diagnostic imaging technology used to measure metabolic human cell activity. PET is used not only to diagnose and manage patients with cancer but also for patients with neurological disorders and heart disease.
FDG is tagged with Fluorine-18, a marker that is specifically produced by PET cyclotrons. FDG is injected into the patient and through the natural metabolic differentiation in absorption allows cancerous tissues to be identified since it has a higher metabolic rate than that of surrounding healthy tissue.
"Syncor's agreement with Soreq and Isorad signals a further commitment by Syncor to expand its presence in the fast-growing radiopharmacy and medical imaging services market in Israel," said Robert G. Funari, President and Chief Executive Officer of Syncor International Corporation.
Since 1998, Syncor has been providing Isorad and Soreq operational and management advice, technical assistance, assistance in purchasing materials, access to marketing materials and proprietary information in connection with the establishment and operation of a radiopharmacy within Soreq's premises.
Soreq is a research and development institute affiliated with the Israel Atomic Energy Commission. Soreq conducts advanced R&D projects and supplies specialized products pursuant to contracts with industrial and government organizations in Israel and abroad. Isorad markets and sells Soreq products and services to private businesses (non-government customers) in Israel and abroad, including radiopharmaceutical kits, generators and electro-optical devices.
Syncor International is a leading provider of high technology health care services concentrating on nuclear pharmacy services, medical imaging and radiotherapy.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on February 13, 2000.