Nycomed to Distribute Palladium-103 Seeds

Nycomed Amersham plc (Little Chalfont, U.K.), a leading supplier of iodine brachytherapy seeds for the treatment of prostate cancer, has entered into an agreement with Theragenics Corp. (Buford, GA, USA) for the distribution of Theragenics' palladium-103 brachytherapy seeds.

The palladium-103, rice-sized seeds are used for the treatment of localized prostate cancer in a one-time minimally invasive procedure. A capsule containing 40-100 seeds, called TheraSeed, is implanted in the prostate. Theragenics is involved in research on other treatment applications for palladium-103, including restenosis and macular degeneration. Nycomed currently markets OncoSeed, iodine-125 brachytherapy seeds distributed with Rapid Strand in a rigid, absorbable suture material, permitting even placement of the seeds and holding them in position while preventing migration to other body sites.

With this expanded portfolio, we will be better able to meet the needs of the market and provide brachytherapy seeds to all patients who will benefit from this minimally invasive high efficacy procedure for treating prostate cancer, said John Jeans, president of Nycomed Amersham Therapy Products.



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Nycomed Amersham
Theragenics Corp.