DRAXIS Receives Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Approval for BrachySeed Prostate Cancer Treatment Canadian Shipments to Commence This Quarter.

Business Editors

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 10, 2000

DRAXIS Health Inc. (TSE:DAX.)(NASDAQ:DRAX) today announced that DRAXIMAGE, its wholly owned radiopharmaceutical subsidiary, has received Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (formerly AECB) approval with respect to its BrachySeed(TM) implant for prostate cancer therapy.

Dr. Martin Barkin, President and CEO of DRAXIS Health, stated, "We are very pleased to report that BrachySeed(TM) is now cleared for sale in Canada and we expect that our first domestic shipments will commence this quarter. In the United States the required FDA and NRC approvals were received during the third quarter. Working with Cytogen Corporation (NASDAQ: CYTO), our marketing partner, we expect that BrachySeed(TM) will be available in the U.S. late this year."

BrachySeed(TM) is a second generation brachytherapy implant which demonstrates a number of important innovations over currently available technology, including double encapsulation for additional patient safety and near perfect dosimetry. The most important advantage was reported earlier by researchers at McMaster University, Ontario, Canada, who confirmed that the dose and radiation distribution of BrachySeed(TM) exhibits excellent symmetry.

Brachytherapy implants are used in the treatment of localized cancers, primarily prostate, the second most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Brachytherapy is the fastest growing treatment for early stage prostate cancer and offers a number of advantages compared to alternative treatments, including rapid patient recovery, lower costs and reduced incidence of complications, such as impotency and incontinence.

DRAXIMAGE, based in Kirkland, Quebec, is Canada's leading manufacturer of radiopharmaceuticals and its products are available in many countries around the world. DRAXIMAGE specializes in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of diagnostic and therapeutic products for use in Nuclear Medicine and Oncology. Fibrimage(R), the Company's diagnostic agent for deep vein thrombosis is undergoing Phase III clinical trials in Canada.

DRAXIS Health Inc. is a diversified speciality pharmaceutical company operating in three niche markets: Radiopharmaceuticals (DRAXIMAGE), Canadian sales and marketing (DRAXIS Pharmaceutica) and Companion Animal Health (through its global alliance with Pfizer Inc.). DRAXIS supports its own as well as third party manufacturing requirements through its subsidiary, DRAXIS Pharma, located in Kirkland, Quebec.

Except for historical information, this news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changing market conditions, clinical trial results, the establishment of new corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the timely development, regulatory approval and market acceptance of the Company's products, and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities authorities.