OTTAWA, Ont. – Nordion Inc., a leading provider of medical isotopes, targeted therapies and sterilization technologies, announced the launch of the Gamma Centre of Excellence (GCE), a facility for the advancement of gamma sterilization science.

Formerly known as the Canadian Irradiation Centre, the GCE will conduct applied research and development, training and gamma processing for industrial and academic customers, according to the company. The center will:

• Offer world-class R&D, specialty contract irradiation services and training to Nordion's customers and partners;

• Develop gamma irradiation processes for new or challenging products and materials; and

• Position Nordion as a partner of choice for gamma processing, application development and training.

"Nordion is investing in the advancement of innovation in the gamma irradiation industry," said Dr. Peter Covitz, Nordion's senior vice president of Innovation. "The Canadian Irradiation Centre always had a focus on R&D for gamma processing in food applications. The GCE now has an even broader, more ambitious mandate across the entire gamma processing market.

“Whether a company has an unusual or challenging material to sterilize, wants to train highly-qualified people or needs to conduct research into new irradiation techniques, the GCE can help," he said.
Nordion has also created a new Sterilization Science department at its headquarters, which will complement the center’s commercial and academic R&D projects, the company said.

Gamma processing is used to irradiate a wide variety of products and materials. In the case of food products, it protects consumers from foodborne illness by reducing pests and harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli.