Eckert & Ziegler Acquires Vitalea Science Inc. as Part of Strategic Move into Innovative Pharmaceutical Services

BERLIN, September 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen- und Medizintechnik AG, through its Californian subsidiary Eckert & Ziegler Isotope Products, Inc. (EZIP), has entered into a definite agreement with Vitalea Science, Inc. for the purchase of all of its stock and assets. Vitalea Science is a pioneering Bioanalytical Contract Research Organization that provides services to researchers and clinicians in drug development supported by validated Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) technologies. This method is used in pre-clinic and clinic studies for exploring the behavior of drug candidates in the organism. Due to the AMS device's ultra-sensitivity it is able to detect C^[14] tagged molecules in microdose levels. Vitalea also provides AMS services for the characterization and identification of non-medical carbon based compounds.

"Eckert & Ziegler Isotope Products is very excited to be adding the capabilities and services of Vitalea Science to Eckert & Ziegler's portfolio of offerings. Vitalea is a unique company with a very unique capability built around the BioMICADAS™ device, which is the state-of-the-art in AMS technology. We believe that this capability will both allow Eckert & Ziegler to add value to our existing customer base and expand our area of expertise in new markets," said Frank Yeager, President & CEO of Eckert & Ziegler Isotope Products.

"Bob Bethem, President & CEO at Vitalea Science, stated that "The acquisition of Vitalea Science by Eckert & Ziegler helps to provide the commercial strength of EZAG to the technical prowess of Vitalea. We believe that this combination will help Vitalea to rapidly improve its product offering and efficiency while adding new capabilities and expertise at the same time. We look forward to being able to continue expanding our business and helping our customers by providing world class services and customer support."

Vitalea's scientists include the original developers of AMS technology for applied bioscience at its location in Davis, California near the University of California Davis campus, a leading center for research into AMS, PET tracers and other early phase medical studies.

Eckert & Ziegler Isotope Products has been producing instrumentation and calibration standards for over forty five (45) years. Today it is the world's leading manufacturer for nuclear imaging reference and calibration standards and a leading producer of radioactive components for industrial, scientific and medical applications.

Its holding, the German based Eckert & Ziegler AG, is a global isotope technology company that processes radioisotopes as well as develops, manufactures and sells isotope technology components, medical technology equipment and related products. The group employs nearly 600 people worldwide. Throughout all of its subsidiaries it generates yearly consolidated revenues in excess of $ 146 MM (116 Mio. EUR). Eckert & Ziegler AG is listed in the Prime Standard of the German Stock Exchange in Frankfurt am Main (ISIN DE0005659700).

For further information, please contact:

Eckert & Ziegler AG
Karolin Riehle, Investor Relations
Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
Tel: +49(0)30-94-10-84-138
karolin.riehle@ezag.de, http://www.ezag.com

Eckert & Ziegler Vitalea Science
2121 Second St.  Unit B101
Davis, CA  95618
T: +1-530-341-0200
F: +1-530-341-0299
http://www.vitaleascience.com

Media contact:
Ann Hoffman
T: +1-530-341-0200
E: ahoffman@vitaleascience.com (ann.hoffman@ezag.com)

Eckert & Ziegler Isotope Products Inc.:
24937 Avenue Tibbitts
Valencia, California 91355
T: +1-661-309-1010
F: +1-661-257-8308
http://www.ezag.com

Media contact:
John Paul Pascarelli
T: +1-661-309-1074
E : jpp@ezag.com