Joint Venture with M2i to fuel UK PET expansion.

Alliance Medical Limited announced today the formation of a joint venture with Dublin based M2i Limited for the establishment of a number of UK Radiopharmaceutical Production Units (RPUs). The new company will trade under the name of Molecular Imaging Services Ltd (MIS).

MIS will provide the UK with widespread availability of the radiopharmaceuticals vital for PET imaging, with a strong focus on 18F-FDG (Fluorodeoxyglucose). PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is a revolutionary medical imaging technique used primarily in the diagnosis and treatment management of cancer patients. PET also has applications in Neurology and Cardiology. The growth in use of this technology has been severely restricted by the lack of available FDG in the UK. Radio-labelled compounds such as 18F-FDG need to be produced as near as possible to new PET Scanner installations and, without additional RPUs throughout the country, access to PET imaging will continue to be limited to a few facilities close to London.

Molecular Imaging Services aims to provide FDG through a series of dedicated Radiopharmaceutical Production Units. These RPUs will serve both hospital based PET facilities and mobile PET scanners. MIS is also exploring a series of collaborative research opportunities for this far reaching technology with NHS Trusts, Universities and commercial partners.

Alliance Medical now have two PET scanners operational in the UK, with a PET/CT facility located in London and a mobile PET scanner already serving three UK hospitals. In addition, it has recently signed a preferred supplier agreement with University Hospital Birmingham for the provision of PET services.

The vision and commitment to PET that both organisations bring to MIS provides this new venture with an edge that will ensure the rapid and successful expansion of PET imaging across the United Kingdom.

MIS expect to announce the location of their first RPU within the next few weeks.

“Alliance Medical are very excited about this new venture as it signifies a great step towards improving the provision of PET across the United Kingdom. The availability of FDG is the major hurdle preventing more widespread use and acceptance of PET imaging, and our investment in a series of Radiopharmaceutical Production Units will go a long way towards solving this. Equity of access for all patients is very important” commented Commercial Director for PET, Mike Pringle.

Ciaran Boylan, Director of M2i and Projects Director of MIS said “We, at M2i, are delighted to enjoin with Alliance Medical in establishing a network of RPUs throughout the United Kingdom. We are particularly pleased to again play a key role in removing one of the main barriers to PET imaging through local production of the necessary short-lived radiopharmaceutical 18F-FDG under MCA licence. We are well advanced with these plans and expect to commence construction work on the first unit in central England in mid 2003”.

For further information please contact:
Mike Pringle
Commercial Director
Alliance Medical PET Division
01295 671279

Formed in 1989, Alliance Medical Limited is Europe’s leading provider of Managed Healthcare Imaging, operating more than 80 scanners, covering PET/CT, PET, MRI and CT.

M2i Limited was incorporated as a commercial entity in 1999 specifically to establish an RPU in Dublin to enable PET scans to be performed in Ireland. The first FDG was produced in 2001. The facility now serves PET scanners in both Dublin and Belfast. M2i has a unique understanding and experience of producing and delivering PET radiopharmaceuticals and has achieved full GMP certification through a manufacturing licence issued by the national medicines control agency for its facility.