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Eckert & Ziegler: 1,000th patient Treated with I-125 implants at Christie Hospital, Manchester - England

Berlin, 10.07.2009 - Belgian Medical Device Company International Brachytherapy S.A. (IBt Bebig), a portfolio company of Eckert & Ziegler AG (ISIN DE0005659700), can now also point to a high volume reference hospital in the United Kingdom for its brachytherapy product against early forms of prostate cancer.

Christie Hospital located in Manchester, United Kingdom, is one of Europe's leading cancer centers, treating over 40,000 patients a year and is an acknowledged leader in international research. The prostate cancer brachytherapy program is the largest in the U.K and has just treated its 1,000th patient using iodine-125 permanent brachytherapy implants.

Cooperation between Christie Hospital and the IBt Bebig group dates back to 2006. Dr. James Wylie, Radiation Oncologist, commented: "Our excellent working relationship with IBt Bebig has greatly facilitated this cancer treatment program and we now plan to be collaborating with IBt Bebig on the development of new products". The brachytherapy treatment of early stage prostate cancer - for which IBt Bebig is today recognized specialist in Europe and leader in its segment - is being applied increasingly across the continent, where more than 135,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every year. Of this number, just over 12,000 men are treated with permanent brachytherapy implants. For comparison purposes, this number is four times higher in the USA.

On IBt Bebig: IBt Bebig develops, produces, and sells radiation-technology products for the treatment of cancer, in particular prostate cancer, worldwide. The company with its approx. 150 employees is market leader in Europe for weak radioactive prostate cancer implants. The company's head office is in Brussels, the main production site is in Berlin. Eckert & Ziegler holds almost 40% of the economic shares of the company and 29.9% of the voting rights in the annual general meeting. Eckert & Ziegler owns an option for another 21% of the annual general meeting's voting rights.

The Board of Directors