Syncor brachytherapy seeds cleared by FDA

Syncor International's new line of radioactive implants passed its first milestone this month with the 510(k) clearance of the implants, which consist of iodine-125 seeds for the treatment of localized prostate cancer.

Now that the Woodland Hills, CA, company has the green light from the Food and Drug Administration, it will market the product under the name PharmaSeed. The sealed capsules contain exact dosages of I-125, which can be implanted into the prostate gland to target cancerous tissue. In a typical procedure, each patient receives about 100 seeds.

Syncor will continue to branch out into the interstitial brachytherapy market with palladium-103 seeds, said Robert Funari, president and CEO. Designed for the treatment of more aggressive tumors, the Pd-103 implants should be available next year, Funari said.

The U.S. market for brachytherapy seeds is estimated to be worth $170 million, with a $15 million increase expected by the end of 2001.

By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
January 12, 2000

Copyright ©, 2000 AuntMinnie.com

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