MDS Pharma Services targets proteomics research with purchase of Applied Biosystems//MDS SCIEX API QSTAR™ PulsarHybrid LC/MS/MS System

(March 29, 2001; Montreal, Canada) — MDS Pharma Services, a global leader in bioanalytical services, continues to advance in the application of mass spectrometry techniques in drug development with the purchase of the Applied Biosystems/ MDS SCIEX API QSTAR™ Pulsar Hybrid LC/MS/MS System, a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This purchase will advance the proteomics research capabilities of MDS Pharma Services.

"We are most certainly one of the first contract research organizations to make such an investment," said Dr. Bernard Gibbs, Research Fellow, applied research and development group, MDS Pharma Services. "We do so because we have a strong commitment to the next generation of mass spectrometry techniques in drug development, particularly in areas such as proteomics. Within five years, half of all new drugs coming into the pipeline will be proteins. This powerful technology, intelligently applied, will help identify lead drug candidates early and speed the drug development process from discovery to market."

The API QSTAR™ system will enable highly sensitive analyses of very low-level concentrations of peptides, enabling the structural identification and analysis of proteins. The API QSTAR™ system represents a unique style of mass spectrometry equipment. Whereas triple-quadrupole LC/MS/MS instrumentation has been the backbone of drug development for many years, and will no doubt continue to perform the bulk of mass spectrometry analysis, the API QSTAR™ system substitutes time-of-flight technology for the third quadrupole and allows the researcher to analyze larger molecules, specifically protein molecules and other biopolymers, in much more detail.

"Time-of-flight mass spectrometry is probably the sole existing technology capable of achieving the advanced performance that will be required to meet the stringent and fast evolving needs of tomorrow's drug development processes," said Dr. Gibbs. "Enhancing our expertise in this area will ensure that MDS Pharma Services remains a world leader in bioanalytical services. As more potent and highly specific drugs are being developed, much lower doses are being administered. Therefore, highly sensitive methods will be required to measure minute levels in body fluids."

This ability to bring highly sensitive analysis to larger molecules is one of the keys in proteomics research, which attempts to identify and characterize protein location, interaction, structure and function. Protein abnormalities have long been associated with many diseases and health conditions.

"With the QSTAR, you have a higher degree of confidence in identifying components," said Dr. Gibbs. "The higher resolution is an advantage for protein work because of the large molecular sizes involved."

Some of the bioanalytical applications that can only be performed by time-of-flight mass spectrometry are accurate mass measurement of entire proteins or protein fragments and the elucidation of protein behavior.

As the global leader in bioanalytical services, MDS Pharma Services offers extensive expertise in method development, rapid sample analysis, custom assay development, biochemical markers, and statistical and pharmacokinetic services. This advanced technology, along with highly skilled scientific staff and extensive emphasize on customer service, ensure reliable client solutions. With bioanalytical laboratories worldwide, equipped with more than 70 LC/MS/MS instruments, and over 700 available assays, MDS Pharma Services rapidly delivers accurate results.

MDS Pharma Services offers a full spectrum of resources to meet the drug discovery and development needs of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With facilities in more than 17 countries, the company applies advanced scientific and technological expertise to each stage of the drug discovery and development process: discovery, preclinical, early clinical research (Phases I-IIa), bioanalytical, global clinical research (Phases IIb-IV), and central lab.

MDS Pharma Services is part of MDS Inc. (TSE: MDS; NYSE: MDZ), an international health and life sciences company. In many of its products and services, it is among the largest and most respected companies in the world. At MDS, the focus is on fighting disease. It does this by providing laboratory testing, imaging products, research services to speed discovery and development of new drugs, therapy systems for planning and delivery of cancer treatments, analytical instruments to assist in the development of new drugs, and medical/surgical supplies. MDS employs more than 10,000 highly skilled people in its global operations on five continents. Detailed information about the company is available at the MDS Web site at www.mdsintl.com or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day.