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MEDRAD Sponsors PET Research with University of Zurich

Posted on: Tuesday, 6 January 2009, 12:00 CST

Controlled FDG Delivery Study Uses Intego(TM) PET Infusion System to Compare Techniques for Patient Management

WARRENDALE, Pa., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- MEDRAD, Inc., has signed a research agreement with the University of Zurich to study dynamic PET imaging with the MEDRAD Intego(TM) PET Infusion System. The researchers will utilize MEDRAD's latest technology to more precisely control the radioactive dose delivered during PET imaging procedures.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040309/MEDRADLOGO )

Specifically, the study will examine patients with tumors in the chest or abdomen and compare standard quantitative techniques, such as standard uptake value (SUV), with more advanced kinetic and compartmental models. One of the primary goals of the research is to explore how controlled delivery technology can enable dynamic imaging by providing additional clinical utility and making these advanced techniques more practical. By enabling the benefit of repeatable infusion of the prescribed FDG dose to all subjects in the study, the Intego System is a key element in the research.

"The research will explore the clinical viability of dynamic imaging with PET," said Dr. Alfred Buck, University of Zurich (Switzerland). The University of Zurich is a leading institution in dynamic PET research, and has licensed its proprietary FDG delivery technology to MEDRAD for use in the Intego PET Infusion System.

The Intego System automatically extracts a patient dose from a multi-dose vial and delivers it directly to the patient, virtually eliminating manual dose preparation and handling, and the corresponding radiation exposure to the technologist inherent in manual preparation. With the Intego System's dose-on-demand capability, the prescribed dose can be delivered when the patient and clinician are ready. This enables the clinician to easily and efficiently respond to schedule changes, patient delays, and add-on patients. Innovative features, including real-time dose availability information, an integrated ionization chamber, and an optional weight-based dose calculation, allow the healthcare provider to more precisely customize each patient's dose. Safety features include a tungsten multi-dose vial shield, a fully lead-lined mobile cart, and an automated saline flush to remove residual FDG from the line after each infusion.

"Supporting this research with the University of Zurich is an exciting opportunity for us. We believe the Intego System can be a very important tool for advancing PET imaging in the clinical setting, leading to better patient management and clinical outcomes," said Doug Descalzi, Executive Director, MEDRAD Molecular Imaging.

About University of Zurich

The University of Zurich was founded in 1833, though its origins stretch back as far as 1525. Today the University enjoys international renown as a place of education and research. Two thousand lecturers in 140 special institutes provide the broadest range of subjects and courses available from any Swiss seat of higher education. With 24,000 students and 1,900 graduates every year, Zurich is also Switzerland's largest university. The University provides academic services, works with the private sector and considers itself part of a national and global network for the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge. The University of Zurich is member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), an association of the twenty leading European universities sharing the values of high-quality teaching within an environment of internationally competitive research.

About MEDRAD

MEDRAD, Inc., is a worldwide leading provider of medical devices and services that enable and enhance imaging and therapeutic procedures of the human body. For diagnostic imaging, MEDRAD's product offerings include a comprehensive line of vascular injection systems, magnetic resonance (MR) surface coils and patient care products, and equipment services. The company also offers products used in vascular intervention. MEDRAD's total 2007 revenues were $525 million. In 2003, MEDRAD received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the top honor a U.S. company can receive for quality and business excellence. The company's world headquarters is near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States. MEDRAD is an affiliate of Bayer AG. More company information is available at www.medrad.com.

The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of healthcare, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. The pharmaceuticals business operates under the name Bayer Schering Pharma AG. Bayer HealthCare's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Find more information at www.bayerhealthcare.com.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements.

Certain statements in this press release that are neither reported financial results nor other historical information are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results and MEDRAD's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. MEDRAD, INC. undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.

SOURCE MEDRAD, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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