PRESS RELEASE

Piramal Diagnostics introduces Asia's first high-definition
PET/CT Scanner

~ PET offers advanced imaging solutions to detect cancer at an early stage ~
 

Mumbai, 11 May  2008: NPIL Laboratories and Diagnostics Private Limited (“NLDL”, name proposed to be changed to Piramal Diagnostic Services Private Limited), a Piramal Group Company, today introduced Asia’s first high-definition PET (Positron Emission Topography) / CT (Computed Tomography) Scanner to mark National Technology Day, celebrated by the Govt. of India since 1998. PET/CT is functional imaging equipment, while the conventional CT scan detects structural imaging. With this revolutionary technology, it is now possible to recognise lesions as small as 2 mm, thus helping to diagnose diseases more accurately at an early stage. The Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. T.K.A. Nair, today formally inaugurated the PET/CT at the Piramal Diagnostics Wellspring centre at Lower Parel in Mumbai.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Ajay Piramal, Chairman, Piramal Group, said, “Over 400,000 Indians lose their lives to cancer every year and the disease is growing at 11% annually PET/CT imaging has rapidly emerged as an important imaging tool in oncology. The success of PET/CT imaging is based on several features. Firstly, patients benefit from a comprehensive diagnostic whole-body survey in a single session. Secondly, it provides more accurate diagnostic information than CT alone.”

The high definition PET/CT Scanner has the unique ability to assess the functional and biochemical processes of the body’s tissues, which are altered in the earliest stages of virtually all diseases. PET/CT detects these changes before anatomical or structural changes that are eventually detected by MRI or CT scan. PET has been used extensively to study cellular metabolism in the brain, heart and malignant tumours. A PET scan is considered particularly effective in evaluating cancer. It is a useful tool for identifying if cancer is present, if it is spreading, if it is responding to treatment and if a person is cancer free after treatment.

Wellspring is now CAP (College of American Pathologists) accredited, which is the highest accreditation for any pathology lab. The procedures and quality followed by Wellspring are at par with the best centres in the world.

The entire process to obtain CAP accreditation takes anything between 12-18 months. After the accreditation is granted, periodic surveillance audits take place to ensure that quality and processes are in line with international standards.

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Notes to Editors:

About the Piramal Group
Spanning a broad spectrum of industries and formats, the Piramal Group is committed to achieving excellence and leadership by adhering to ethically sound, innovative and value-driven practices in its diverse, yet focused, business ventures and initiatives. The Group’s turnover exceeded US $ 900 million in FY2008.

The names of specific Group Companies are to be changed subject to shareholders’ and Central Government’s approval.

About NPIL Laboratories and Diagnostics
(name proposed to be changed to Piramal Diagnostic Services Private Limited)

NPIL Laboratories and Diagnostics Private Limited (“NLDL”, name proposed to be changed to Piramal Diagnostic Services Private Limited), a subsidiary of Nicholas Piramal India Limited, offers a full range of clinical diagnostic services under the brand Wellspring. It is the largest player in this field in India and the only one to offer high-end, state-of-the-art imaging and the full range of pathological services under one roof. Operating 90 centres spread across 57 locations in India, NLDL serves all segments in this business and is the leader in each. Some of the best doctors in the fields of radiology and pathology work with this organisation. The aim of NLDL is to be present, in the next two years, in all cities with a population of 1 million or more.

The name change from NPIL Laboratories and Diagnostics Private Limited to Piramal Diagnostic Services Private Limited is subject to approval by the Company’s shareholders and Central Government.

For further information, visit www.nicholaspiramal.com