Siemens to build first molecular imaging centre for UAE
16 February 2007 Mubadala Development has awarded Siemens Medical
Solutions a €16.7 million contract to
build and operate a Molecular Imaging Centre (MIC) in Abu Dhabi. This
provide diagnostic services for oncology, cardiology and neurology. Expected
to open in summer 2008, the facility will be the first of its kind in the
region.
The contract was signed in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Lubna Al
Qassimi, Minister for Economy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the
German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The centre will be fully equipped with
state-of-the-art medical diagnostic equipment for anatomic and functional
diagnosis. These include a Siemens PET/CT (a hybrid combining positron
emission tomography, PET, and computed tomography, CT) diagnostic system and
a cyclotron radioisotope delivery system.
A comprehensive IT infrastructure powered by the Siemens' syngo software
will allow for seamless data and image integration and exchange across all
parts of the MIC and with other clinics worldwide.
"Molecular medicine has huge potential to enable detection of diseases at a
much earlier stage. Molecular imaging techniques in combination with
specific biomarkers are helping physicians to choose suitable medications
for a particular patient, predict and monitor the effects of those
medications and personalize patients' treatments — hence contributing to a
more efficient and higher quality treatment of common maladies like cancer,
cardiovascular diseases or neurological degenerations", said Erich R.
Reinhardt, member of the board of Siemens AG and CEO of Siemens Medical
Solutions.
The MIC will also be the first in this region to feature a Cyclotron,
Siemens’ particle accelerator that produces high yields of reliable
radioisotope biomarkers. These are essential for accurate PET diagnosis.
In addition to supplying Mubadala’s Molecular Imaging Centre, the Cyclotron
also enables other PET diagnostic facilities in the vicinity to have access
to these biomarkers. The first project phase in 2006 saw Siemens setting up
a team of experts who have been working closely with Mubadala to
conceptualize and design what will be a unique facility with the very latest
in innovative molecular imaging diagnostic technology. The contract signing
marks the move into the second phase of the project, when the building of
the MIC will commence. A five-year facility management and operation
contract is expected to be signed following completion of the facility
construction.
Besides Medical Solutions, also Siemens’ Industrial Solutions and Services
group (I&S) as well as Siemens Building Technologies (SBT) will be involved
in the civil works and building infrastructure of the MIC.
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