This agreement benefits both parties as it further strengthens Nycomed Amersham's global leadership position in the brachytherapy market and enables Theragenics Corporation to expand their market coverage as they gain access to the largest brachytherapy customer base through Nycomed Amersham. Theragenics is pleased to begin its new TheraSeed distribution initiative with Nycomed Amersham, a longstanding market leader in the brachytherapy market. Nycomed Amersham's large distribution network and outstanding reputation in the field represent exceptional vehicles through which the TheraSeed brand can be further enhanced. Earlier this year Nycomed Amersham launched a program designed to educate the American public about prostate cancer and treatment options, as part of an ongoing commitment to build awareness of this disease.
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men.
According to the National Cancer Institute, over 180,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2000, and nearly 32,000 men will die from the disease. An estimated 8 out of 10 men diagnosed with prostate cancer are over 65. Currently, it is estimated that 38,000 prostate cancer patients will be treated using seed implants in 2000. Nycomed Amersham Therapy Products is a division of Nycomed Amersham Imaging, the leader in medical diagnostics and a major provider of radiotherapy products. The company has annual sales of 1.3 billion and approximately 8,500 employees worldwide.