Siemens’ PETNET Solutions Poised to Assist During Moly Shortage

Malvern, Pa., October 3, 2008 – The recent shortage of Molybdenum has caused a temporary shortage of 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals and may continue over the next several weeks. PETNET Solutions, a fully owned subsidiary of Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc., is prepared to increase production and availability of 18F Sodium Fluoride (NaF) to replace Technetium MDP bone scans.

NaF PET has been shown to be both more accurate and more sensitive than planar imaging for localizing and characterizing both malignant and benign bone lesions than 99mTc-MDP scintigraphy either alone or in combination with SPECT*. NaF PET provides valuable answers to a common problem physicians face in treating their patients with possible bone metastases.

Additionally, PETNET Solutions is providing resources to the Academy of Molecular Imaging to support a multi-center clinical trial of NaF for bone imaging.

The SNM Opinion Statement about billing of NaF bone scanning can be viewed at the SNM Coding Corner: http://interactive.snm.org/index.cfm?PageID=5025.

*Grant F, et al. ”Skeletal PET with 18F-Fluoride: Applying New Technology to an Old Tracer,“ JNM, Vol 49. No 1(2008): 68-78.

The Siemens Healthcare Sector 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 integrated healthcare 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 Healthcare 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 €9.85 billion, orders of €10.27 billion, and group profit of €1.32 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare.