Nordion Signs Share Purchase Agreement to Divest MDS Nordion S.A.

Ottawa, Canada (ots/PRNewswire) - Nordion Inc. , a
leading provider of products and services to the global health
science market, today announced it has signed a share purchase
agreement (SPA) with Best Medical Belgium (Best Medical) for the
divestiture of the Company's Belgian operations, MDS Nordion S.A.
Pursuant to the SPA, Best Medical will acquire all of Nordion's
Belgian operations with the exception of the TheraSphere(R) business.

Due to the losses incurred in the Belgian operations, Nordion
made a decision in fiscal 2010 to restructure or exit this business.
This decision is aligned with Nordion's strategy to optimize its
product lines by reducing complexity, managing costs and focusing on
areas of the business the Company believes can generate positive
long-term returns.

Pursuant to the terms of the SPA, Best Medical will acquire all
the employees in Belgium, including related benefit and pension
plans, except employees directly supporting the TheraSphere(R)
business. Best Medical will also acquire the Belgian facilities,
including current and future decommissioning and waste disposal
requirements. Pursuant to the SPA, Nordion will leave an amount of
capital in the business, currently estimated to be US$18 million. The
final amount will be determined upon closing.

Nordion expects the transaction with Best Medical to be completed
in the next several months. The transaction is subject to customary
closing conditions and the confirmation by the regional government in
Belgium that its decommissioning obligations related to the site
being sold continue, as is, after the transfer of the shares from
Nordion to Best Medical.

During this process, MDS Nordion S.A. remains focused on
delivering quality product to its customers and managing the business
operations.

About Nordion Inc.

Nordion Inc. is a global specialty health science company that
provides market-leading products used for the prevention, diagnosis
and treatment of disease. We are a leading provider of medical
isotopes, targeted therapies and sterilization technologies that
benefit the lives of millions of people in more than 60 countries
around the world. Our products are used daily by pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies, medical-device manufacturers, hospitals,
clinics and research laboratories. Nordion has more than 600 highly
skilled employees in four locations. Find out more at
http://www.nordion.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute
"forward-looking statements". These statements are based on current
beliefs and assumptions of management, however are subject to known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements in this news release. For additional information with
respect to certain of these beliefs, assumptions, risks and
uncertainties, please refer to Nordion's Annual Information Form for
fiscal 2010 available on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com and on EDGAR
on http://www.sec.gov.

2010 Annual Financial Statements

Nordion filed its 2010 Annual Report, including its audited
consolidated financial statements and notes for the year ended
October 31, 2010, and related management's discussion and analysis on
January 20, 2011. To view the Company's annual disclosure documents,
visit Nordion's profile on http://www.sedar.com or Nordion's website
at http://www.nordion.com/investors/annual_reports.asp. Print copies
can be ordered on the Company's website at
http://www.nordion.com/investors/report_request_form.asp.

For further information:
MEDIA:
Shelley Maclean
+1(613)592-3400 x. 2414
shelley.maclean@nordion.com
INVESTORS:
Ana Raman
+1(613)595-4580
investor.relations@nordion.com

ots Originaltext: Nordion Inc.
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For further information: MEDIA: Shelley Maclean, +1(613)592-3400x.
2414, shelley.maclean@nordion.com; INVESTORS: Ana
Raman,+1(613)595-4580, investor.relations@nordion.com