MDS Pharma Services Is First to Acquire API 5000'TM' Mass Spectrometers.

MONTREAL -- To remain at the forefront of bioanalytical research technology, the business has purchased two of the next-generation LC/MS/MS Systems for use in drug safety and efficacy studies

MDS Pharma Services, a leading provider of innovative drug discovery and development solutions, is the first contract research organization (CRO) to adopt the new API 5000(TM) mass spectrometer for small molecule quantification studies. Two of the systems have been ordered for use at the business unit's Bioanalytical site in Lincoln, Neb.

The API 5000(TM) LC/MS/MS System is the latest addition to its API family of triple quadrupole analyzers. It delivers the most sensitive and accurate mass spectrometer to the market for small molecule quantification, which is essential for drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity (ADMET) studies. The system sets a new industry standard by achieving an average nine-fold increase in sensitivity and four-fold improvement in signal-to-noise ratio over other commercially available systems. The result is unprecedented precision.

"We're delighted to be the first CRO to offer our clients the benefit of this state-of-the-art platform for bioanalytical research," says Jim Hulse, MDS Pharma Services senior vice president and general manager - Bioanalysis. "The improved sensitivity provided by the API 5000(TM) LC/MS/MS System will increase our ability to assay a drug candidate, which in turn will help our clients to determine the most viable candidates to put through the costly process of bringing new drugs to market.

"In 2001, MDS Pharma Services was the first CRO to purchase the API 4000(TM) LC/MS/MS System from Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX," Hulse adds. "Our purchase of the next-generation API 5000(TM) demonstrates our continuing commitment to maintain our leadership position in bioanalytical research."

MDS Pharma Services offers a full spectrum of resources to meet the drug discovery and development needs of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With numerous facilities strategically located around the world, the company applies advanced scientific and technological expertise to each stage of the drug discovery and development process - early stage: lead optimization, pre-IND research, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical development, early clinical research (bioequivalence, phases I-IIa) and bioanalysis; and late stage: global clinical development (phases IIb-IV) and central lab. For more information, visit MDS Pharma Services' Web site at www.mdsps.com.

MDS Pharma Services is an integral part of MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE: MDZ). MDS Inc. has more than 9,000 highly skilled people in 25 countries providing a diverse range of superior products and services to increase our customers' speed, precision and productivity in the drug development and disease diagnosis processes. We are a global health and life sciences company, recognized for our reliability and collaborative relationships. Please refer to our website at www.mdsintl.com to find out more about how we help create better outcomes in the treatment of disease.

MDS Pharma Services (TSX:MDS) (NYSE:MDZ)