Michigan State University and Syncor Collaborate on PET Cyclotron Project.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

EAST LANSING, Mich. & WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Oct. 2, 2002

Under a newly signed agreement, Michigan State University (MSU) and Syncor International Corporation (Nasdaq:SCOR), a world leader in nuclear medicine, have joined forces to introduce a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) cyclotron to the Michigan health care market.

The cyclotron, which will be located at the MSU Radiology Center, will produce fluorodeoxyglucose F-18 or FDG, a radiopharmaceutical used in PET imaging, a non-invasive and increasingly popular option used for the detection of early-stage tumors and monitoring the effectiveness of cancer treatment therapies. Syncor distributes FDG produced from cyclotrons, owned by it or by partners, located at a growing number of sites around the country.

"This collaboration creates a truly win-win situation," said Dr. E. James Potchen, chairperson of MSU's Department of Radiology. "Both MSU and Syncor, and more importantly, patients in Michigan and much of the Midwest will benefit from the availability of these isotopes for diagnostic imaging and treatment. PET scans and cyclotron-produced radioisotopes provide a unique avenue to visualize biological function in human beings."

"Syncor is pleased to partner with MSU to make the benefits of new technologies like FDG available in Michigan," said Rod Boone, President of Syncor Pharmaceutical Services. "This kind of partnership utilizes all of our best talents. The project enables the University to continue the kind of groundbreaking research with radioisotopes it is recognized for and allows Syncor to expand its reach in providing FDG to customers throughout the Midwest."

Under its operating license agreement with MSU, Syncor will manage and operate the PET cyclotron installation to manufacture FDG. In addition to meeting MSU teaching, research, and diagnostic needs for PET isotopes, Syncor will sell the radiopharmaceuticals it produces to health care providers throughout the region.

"The addition of this unit, along with the opening of new company-owned cyclotrons in Houston and Seattle this summer, supports Syncor's strategy of making PET services available nationwide," said Boone. "Syncor makes FDG available in 59 of our pharmacy markets. We're providing safe, ready access to this radiopharmaceutical and are enabling our customers to offer the best in patient care," Boone concluded.

The PET cyclotron is part of a new 17,000-square-foot addition to the MSU Radiology Center, which will house not only the cyclotron, but also a PET scanner and a vertical whole-body magnetic resonance imaging machine. The new addition is expected to be open and operational by April 2003.

Because of MSU's strong expertise in nuclear physics and the on-campus presence of the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL), the addition of a PET cyclotron is a logical decision, said Potchen.

"I can think of no better example of technology being used to better the human condition," he said. "Whereas the superconducting cyclotron is used to better understand the nature of matter, the PET cyclotron will be used to better understand the nature of life."

The NCSL is the nation's leading rare isotope research facility. Funded primarily by the National Science Foundation, the NSCL operates the K500-K1200 coupled cyclotron, the highest energy continuous beam accelerator in the world.

The MSU Department of Radiology has a strong reputation in both medical education and medical imaging. The new PET/CT scanner and PET cyclotron at the MSU Radiology Center will add to an arsenal that includes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT scanning and digital mammography services.

About Syncor

Syncor International Corporation is a leading provider of high technology health care services concentrating on nuclear pharmacy services, medical imaging, niche manufacturing and radiotherapy. In the nuclear pharmacy services business, Syncor compounds and dispenses radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic use by nuclear medicine deparments in hospitals and outpatient clinics. Syncor distributes these time-critical pharmaceuticals to more than 7,000 U.S.-based customers through an integrated network of 130 domestic and 19 international nuclear pharmacies. Medical imaging services are provided through an integrated network of 70 domestic and 19 internationally owned or operated facilities. Syncor announced on June 14, 2002, that it intends to exit the medical imaging business. Syncor also owns or operates ten domestic and two international production facilities for positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceuticals, and is a party to a series of agreements to make PET technology more accessible to health care providers and patients nationwide. For more information visit www.syncor.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

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