Eckert & Ziegler AG to supply Varian and Cordis with isotopes

The Berlin company Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen- und Medizintechnik AG, a leading developer and manufacturer of radioactive remedies for cancer and cardiac diseases, has secured a large-scale order for iridium which will be used by the Californian Varian Corporation and Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Cordis for the development of an innovative medical treatment for the prevention of restenosis.

The contract, which is to run for several years, plans for the construction of substantial production and service capacities in Berlin together with the manufacture of hundreds of thousands of mildly radioactive components. Product purchasers, the American company Varian Bio Synergy and Cordis will market iridium on an international basis. "The decision reached by Cordis and Varian is a show of confidence of strategic significance", commented Dr. Andreas Eckert, CEO and president of the company. "It provides Eckert & Ziegler AG with an excellent starting position for the development of cardiological applications, the sale of which is expected to generate millions running into 3 figures over the coming years". Heart and circulatory diseases cause the highest number of deaths in western industrial countries today. Of approximately 1 million patients who are affected every year, 30-40% suffer restenosis after balloon dilation treatment. Mild radiation of the inner vascular walls reduces the occurrence of restenosis by approximately 50%.

The Board of Directors