Siemens Strengthens Position in Biomarker Production and Research

New Molecular Imaging Biomarker Production Centers Ensure More Patients, Increased Accessibility to Critical PET Technology 


NEW ORLEANS, June 16  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To help ensure that more healthcare facilities throughout the United States have access to the positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) technology that helps clinicians diagnose and treat disease earlier and more effectively, Siemens Healthcare (http://www.siemens.com/healthcare) has opened two new radiopharmacies in Las Vegas and Pittsburgh.

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These two new facilities will produce imaging biomarkers that are a crucial component of PET-CT tests used to diagnose cancer and cardiac and neurological ailments.

PETNET Solutions, a fully owned subsidiary of Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., operates the largest PET radiopharmacy network with 50 radiopharmacies and distribution centers in the U.S., Korea and the United Kingdom that produce and distribute PET radiopharmaceuticals to hospitals, clinics, and research facilities for PET imaging. The new facilities produce and supply the required radiopharmaceuticals to area hospitals that have PET-CT, which will help ease the burden of healthcare providers to produce their own radiopharmaceuticals.

The expansion into Las Vegas and Pittsburgh bolsters Siemens' goal to provide PETNET services to all U.S. hospitals and imaging centers.

"Molecular imaging is a formidable tool for practitioners to understand disease better, intervene sooner, apply more tailored treatment and, ultimately, improve patient care," says Michael Reitermann, chief executive officer, Molecular Imaging, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. "By expanding the PETNET network, Siemens is helping to improve access to PET technology, an increasingly essential component to oncological, cardiac and neurological treatments."

The Las Vegas facility, which opened in April 2008, will manufacture fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), the imaging biomarker used to assist with diagnosis and staging of disease processes and to monitor cellular response to treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The new Pittsburgh facility uses a Siemens Eclipse HP Cyclotron to produce FDG.

About Siemens Healthcare

Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care - from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Additionally, Siemens is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of Euro 9.85 billion, orders of Euro 10.27 billion, and group profit of Euro 1.32 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare. 

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DATASOURCE: Siemens Healthcare



CONTACT:  Tom Schaffner of Siemens AG, Corporate Communications, Media

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