Singapore, Jan 11, 2009: MDS, a leading provider of products and services to the global life sciences markets, announced that Steve West, currently President of MDS Nordion and Chief Operating Officer of MDS, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, MDS and a member of the company's Board of Directors, replacing Stephen P. DeFalco.

The company also announced that Peter Dans, currently Senior Vice-President, Finance, MDS Inc., will become Chief Financial Officer, effective February 1, 2010. Doug Prince, currently Executive Vice-President and CFO, MDS Inc., is expected to leave the organization in March 2010. Mr. Prince will work with Mr. Dans to achieve a smooth transition, and will continue to support the company's repositioning actions announced on September 2, 2009, including the sale of the MDS Analytical Technologies business, the planned share buyback and the intended sale of the MDS Pharma Services Early Stage business.

Following the expected completion of the strategic repositioning plan, the company will be focused on its MDS Nordion business.

"We are working to establish MDS Nordion as a stand-alone business that continues to build its leadership positions in medical imaging and radiotherapeutics, and sterilization technologies," said Steve West, CEO, MDS Inc. "Our highly skilled employees have built a solid foundation of innovation and commercial excellence to support growing the business."

Mr. West became President of MDS Nordion in 2003. He began his career at MDS in 2001 as a senior partner with MDS Capital Corporation. Prior to that, he was President of DiverseyLever Canada and has held a variety of CEO assignments in Asia and the Pacific Rim, as well as international business development responsibilities in the specialty chemicals field. Mr. West holds a degree in Genetics from the University of London.

Mr. Dans joined MDS in 2007 from Nortel Networks, where he spent more than 15 years in global finance leadership roles, including positions in North America, South Korea, Singapore and the Philippines. In addition to significant external reporting and financial operating experience, Mr. Dans has a thorough understanding of MDS operations and the company's repositioning plan.