Nordion clarifies agreement with JSC Isotope of Russia.

In response to the CMAJ news article, “Uncertainties shroud medical isotope supply,” we at Nordion would like to clarify the record with regard to the statement: Isotope supplier MDS Nordion has begun importing isotopes from Russia as part of broader, “multi-source” approach to isotope supply. To state that Nordion is importing isotopes from Russia that would be available to the market is misleading. Nordion has not begun importing commercial quantities of isotopes from Russia, though it has received some samples for testing. Nordion has an agreement with JSC Isotope of Russia, which continues to develop its processing capability and capacity of Mo-99. JSC Isotope has not fully ramped up supply, which we expect to occur before 2016. We estimate that JSC Isotope will be able to supply less than our current requirements. In light of the quantities of Mo-99 forecasted, Nordion expects to continue to discuss with JSC Isotope our current contractual arrangements and, in addition to pursuing the completion of the MAPLE reactors through the ongoing arbitration proceedings, continue to assess potential alternate sources of long-term medical isotope supply. These are very critical distinctions, both to Nordion and the medical community. We appreciate the opportunity to clarify.