Best Medical Belgium to purchase Nordion's Belgian operations

Nordion Inc. (TSX: NDN; NYSE: NDZ), a leading provider of products and services to the global health science market, today announced it has signed a share purchase agreement (SPA) with Best Medical Belgium (Best Medical) for the divestiture of the Company's Belgian operations, MDS Nordion S.A. Pursuant to the SPA, Best Medical will acquire all of Nordion's Belgian operations with the exception of the TheraSphere® business.

Due to the losses incurred in the Belgian operations, Nordion made a decision in fiscal 2010 to restructure or exit this business. This decision is aligned with Nordion's strategy to optimize its product lines by reducing complexity, managing costs and focusing on areas of the business the Company believes can generate positive long-term returns.

Pursuant to the terms of the SPA, Best Medical will acquire all the employees in Belgium, including related benefit and pension plans, except employees directly supporting the TheraSphere® business. Best Medical will also acquire the Belgian facilities, including current and future decommissioning and waste disposal requirements. Pursuant to the SPA, Nordion will leave an amount of capital in the business, currently estimated to be US$18 million. The final amount will be determined upon closing.

Nordion expects the transaction with Best Medical to be completed in the next several months. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and the confirmation by the regional government in Belgium that its decommissioning obligations related to the site being sold continue, as is, after the transfer of the shares from Nordion to Best Medical.

During this process, MDS Nordion S.A. remains focused on delivering quality product to its customers and managing the business operations.