MDS Provides New Genetic Test for Colon and Uterine Cancer

Toronto, CANADA -- December 6, 2000 -- MDS Inc. (NYSE:MDZ, TSE:MDS) announced today that COLARIS™, Myriad Genetics, Inc.’s new genetic predictive test for colon and uterine cancer is now available across Canada through the MDS national network. The COLARIS test detects disease-causing mutations in two genes, MLH1 and MSH2, which are responsible for the majority of hereditary colorectal and uterine cancer.

MDS provides Myriad's COLARIS test for hereditary colon and uterine cancer and their BRACAnalysis® test for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer for Canadians. The science behind these tests is recognized as the international gold standard in genetic analysis and is proprietary. The tests provide the most rapid, comprehensive and most accurate assessment of cancer risk for patients based on their genetic makeup.

Colon and uterine cancers are a serious health problem in Canada. Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in Canadian men and women, while endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. According to the National Cancer Institute of Canada, in 1998 more than 16,500 Canadians were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 3,300 Canadians were diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

Dr. Brian Sheridan, MD, FRCPC, FRCPath, Vice President Medical Affairs, for MDS Laboratory Services said, “An individual's risk of colon cancer is increased by this particular disease-causing mutation, to approximately 80%, from just 2% in the general population in Canada. Women with a mutation in one of these two genes also have a 40 times greater risk of uterine cancer and eight times greater risk of ovarian cancer as compared with the general population.”

Gregory Critchfield, MD, President of Myriad Genetics, Inc. commented, "We expect the wide availability of COLARIS to be a major step forward in the prevention of colon cancer and the care of patients diagnosed with colon cancer and the care of their families. Following the same quality commitment established with Myriad's other predictive medicine products, Canadian patients will now also have access to the most accurate and rapid test available.“

Individuals with a family history of colon cancer should discuss the benefits of COLARIS with their physician. Those at risk include patients and relatives of patients with colorectal cancer that was diagnosed prior to age 50 or two family members with colorectal cancer in which either had early onset of the disease or multiple colorectal polyps. The fee for COLARIS is $3,000 and the results allow people to tailor cancer surveillance measures to their unique genetic makeup. Using COLARIS to identify individuals with mutations allows physicians and patients to take steps that prevent colon cancer and save lives. In Canada, COLARIS is available through the MDS national network.

The COLARIS test uses the same proprietary DNA sequencing technology developed by Myriad for identifying a risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It is the gold standard in genetic analysis, providing the most accurate assessment of risk to patients based upon their genetic makeup. For more information about COLARIS and other new diagnostic tests please visit www.mdscollaborate.com

MDS Inc. (TSE: MDS; NYSE: MDZ) is an international health and life sciences company. MDS’s focus is fighting disease. It does this by providing: laboratory testing, imaging agents for nuclear medicine testing, sterilization systems for medical and consumer products, research services to speed discovery and development of new drugs, therapy systems for planning and delivery of cancer treatment, analytical instruments to assist in the development of new drugs, and medical / surgical supplies. MDS employs more than 11,000 highly skilled people at its global operations on five continents. Detailed information about the company is available at the MDS Web site at www.mdsintl.com or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day.

Myriad Genetics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapeutic products derived from its proprietary genomic and proteomic technologies. Additional information about Myriad is available at www.myriad.com.

This document contains forward-looking statements that are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, technical or manufacturing or distribution issues, the competitive environment for the Company's products, the degree of market penetration of the Company's products, and other factors set forth in reports and other documents filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time. For more information about COLARIS and other new diagnostic tests please visit www.mdscollaborate.com

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