+++++++++++++++++++++++++ SIRTeX Medical Limited (Australian Stock Exchange:SRX) announces that it has entered into an agreement with AEA Technology to supply Yttrium-90 and to manufacture SIR-Spheres(R) in the AEA Technology QSA facilities at Braunschweig, Germany.
SIR-Spheres(R) are biocompatible radio-active microspheres that emit beta radiation that are used for the treatment of inoperable liver tumours from primary cancers that have spread to the liver. SIR- Spheres(R) are implanted using a syringe and travel via the blood stream, whereupon the spheres are targeted specifically to the tumours within the liver. The SIR-Spheres(R) become trapped in the small blood vessels of the tumour. It is not necessary to identify either the number or location of the tumours within the liver, as the SIR-Spheres(R) target them regardless of where they are. Once trapped within the tumour, SIR-Spheres(R) irradiate it by a process known as Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), leading to the destruction of the tumour, whilst most of the normal liver tissue remains relatively unaffected.
Yttrium-90 has a relatively short radioactive half-life of 64.1 hours and is the radioisotope that is used in SIRTeX's first commercial product, SIR-Spheres(R). The ability to obtain this ultra-high quality radioisotope and manufacture the finished product in the northern hemisphere will greatly simplify the logistics of production scheduling and product shipment to hospitals. SIRTeX anticipates that both Europe and the USA could be supplied from Braunschweig which has well established logistics capabilities. AEA Technology QSA will compliment SIRTeX's existing manufacturing capability at Australian Radioisotopes (ARI). The two sites will supply geographical markets according to SIRTeX's long-term supply plan, ensuring that SIR-Spheres(R) is available to patients globally.
ARI, AEA Technology QSA and SIRTeX are co-operating in the development of a new version of SIR-Spheres that utilises the ultra-high purity radioisotope from AEAT. To date three trial production runs have been successfully completed at ARI. AEAT also have a manufacturing facility in Burlington, MA which will also have the necessary regulatory approval to be able to manufacture SIR-Spheres in the USA.
This is just one of several risk management strategies that SIRTeX is pursuing to ensure that it is always able maintain continuity of supply. During the month of April when the Lucas Heights reactor was temporarily shut down for routine maintenance, ARI manufactured SIR-Spheres(R) from Yttrium-90 that was irradiated at an alternate overseas reactor. ARI/SIRTeX have used this reactor for some years to supply radioisotopes during reactor shutdowns. The AEA Technology QSA Yttrium-90 will also be able to be used in these situations.
Dr Colin Sutton, CEO of SIRTeX Medical, commented "the manufacturing agreement with AEA Technology is a significant strategic step and one that will strengthen SIRTeX's position as it begins introducing its revolutionary therapies into the northern hemisphere markets."
AEA Technology QSA is an international market leader in the supply of the highest quality radioactive products for medical, industrial, environmental and research applications and has been manufacturing ultra high purity, carrier-free Yttrium-90 for more than 15 years at it's Harwell, UK manufacturing site. QSA is a business within AEA Technology plc, one of the world's leading innovation businesses with a long history of innovation in nuclear technologies. AEA Technology (London Stock Exchange: AAT), while undergoing a significant restructuring of it's businesses, has declared interim sales results on a continuing basis for the first half of its financial year to September 2001 of 136.6GBP million.
ABOUT SIRTEX MEDICAL LIMITED
Further information can be obtained by contacting Dr Colin Sutton at SIRTeX Medical Limited on (02)9856 0400 (telephone), (02) 9856 0404 (fax) or by visiting the company's website at www.sirtex.com.
C Sutton PhD CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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