Gamma Center Launches in Quebec

Sterilization services provider Nordion Inc. (Ottawa, Canada) has launched the Gamma Centre of Excellence (GCE), the goal of which is to advance gamma sterilization science. Formerly known as the Canadian Irradiation Centre, the GCE focuses on applied research and development, training, and specialty gamma processing for medical device, academic, and other customers in Canada and around the world.

The GCE offers R&D, specialty contract irradiation services, and training to Nordion's customers and partners, in addition to developing gamma irradiation processes for new or challenging products and materials. It also provides gamma processing, application development, and training, giving companies and researchers the tools, services, and expertise they need to achieve their irradiation and sterilization goals. The GCE offers both a full-scale irradiator and small-scale testing systems; experts in physics, chemistry, dosimetry, calibration, and dose delivery; dedicated capacity for research projects; and hands-on training and courses, from basic to advanced, for a range of industry professionals.

Of particular interest to medical device manufacturers is the center's sterilization science offerings, enabling Nordion to work with medical device companies to research and develop sterilization processes for challenging materials.

"A facility that can provide the gamut of necessary services like R&D, material compatibility, and radiation physics guidance as well as sterilization support is invaluable to manufacturers," remarks Martell Winters, senior scientist at Nelson Laboratories. "As a gamma industry professional, Nordion's vision behind the GCE is exciting to me."

For more information about Nordion's gamma sterilization services and the medical device industry in Ontario, Canada, see my Regional Focus article in the May issue of Medical Product Manufacturing News. --Bob Michaels