Studsvik builds plant for treatment of brain tumours

Studsvik builds plant for treatment of brain tumours Studsvik's Board of Directors has passed a resolution to invest in a plant for clinical radiation treatment of brain tumours using the BNCT method (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy). The plant will be built adjacent to Studsvik's R2-0 reactor and is expected to be completed at the 1999/2000 turn of year. The decision involves investment in a clinical treatment plant. In order to develop the method further to enable it to be used also for treatment of other forms of cancer, for example skin cancer and cancer of the pancreas, opportunities are being investigated for finding financing for a complementary unit for research. The total investment cost is expected to be approximately SEK 40M, of which a significant proportion consists of research and development costs. The plant will have capacity for treating approximately 1,000 patients a year. The investment is expected to have a positive effect on Studsvik's earnings from the year 2000. The method, BNCT, is a development of photon radiation which has been used in cancer therapy in the past 30-40 years. By adding target-seeking boron substances to the tumour and thereafter irradiating it with neutrons, the neutrons are absorbed in the boron atoms which disintegrate and destroy the diseased tissue. Studsvik is collaborating intimately with the leading hospital clinics in Sweden. Other players who carry out similar operations are found in the US where promising results have been achieved, in the Netherlands where a plant has recently become operational and in Finland where a plant is currently under construction. Stockholm, 20 November 1998 Atle AB (publ) For further information, please contact: Carsten Olsson, President and CEO of Studsvik , tel +46 70-325 10 20 Technical information will be provided by: Professor Kurt Sköld, Project Manager, tel +46 70-642 41 24 Medical questions will be answered by: Associate Professor Jörgen Boëtius, Karolinska Sjukhuset, tel +46 8-517 720 95 ATLE AB (Publ) BOX 7308 S-103 90 STOCKHOLM SWEDEN VISITING ADDRESS: REGERINGSGATAN 48 PHONE +46 8 24 62 10 FAX +46 8 21 10 21 CORP ID 556454-8799 Atle AB Atle is an investment company which invests in and develops small and medium- size companies which are generally unlisted. Atle's core expertise is business development which includes the ability to find interesting companies, create acquisition situations and through active and responsible ownership to develop and after a period of time to find new suitable habitats for owned companies. Normally, acquisitions are made in some form of decisive development phase in connection with the company wishing to expand, a structural transaction would be optimal for its continued development, etc. As the acquired companies are generally not listed and the Group always takes an active part in their development, Atle differs from traditional investment companies. In connection with Atle entering as an owner, plans are made for when Atle's work will be completed and the Group will sell its holding in the company. This normally takes place within three to seven years. Atle, which was introduced on the stockmarket in 1993, has current sales of approximately SEK 9 billion and more than 8,000 employees. Since the stockmarket introduction, the number of shareholders has increased to more than 12,000. Operations are carried out in the six business sectors: Atle Karolin Verkstadsindustri, Atle Tjänste & Handel, Atle Miljöteknik, Atle Informationsteknologi, Atle Mergers & Acquisitions and Atle Development. Atle Miljöteknik AB Atle Miljöteknik, in which Studsvik is included with an ownership of 63 per cent, invests in companies with unique technology for handling, disposing and recovery of waste as well as the aftermarket of nuclear power. The Business Sector strives for majority ownership. Studsvik AB Studsvik is the parent company of a group of specialist companies in nuclear, materials and environmental technology. Customers include power companies, industry, public authorities and hospitals. The company group, which has 1,000 employees, reports sales of SEK 700M on an annual basis. Half of the income is generated outside Sweden. The head office is located in Studsvik outside Nyköping. Subsidiaries are found in Sweden, Norway, Germany, the USA and Japan. At the present time, Studsvik is constructing a plant in Erwin, Tennessee in the USA for reducing the volume of low-active waste from the American nuclear industry. The plant is expected to become operational at the end of 1998 and, as planned, achieve full capacity during 1999. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1998/11/20/19981120BIT00230/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1998/11/20/19981120BIT00230/bit0002.pdf