(01/03/2004) IBA has signed a new contract in Japan for the installation of a 30 MeV cyclotron for radioisotope

Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, 1st March 2004 - IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.: Reuters IOBAt.BR and Bloomberg IBAB.BB) has today announced the signing of a new contract with the company's Japanese client, Daiichi Radioisotopes Laboratories, for the sale of a 30 MeV cyclotron, to be used for the production of SPECT radioisotopes. The order received by IBA in relation to this project is worth more than 5 million euros. The IBA 30 MeV cyclotron is used by the world's leading radioisotopes producers. This is the second machine sold to this Japanese client and the fourth cyclotron of this type to be sold in Japan, thus consolidating IBA's position as the world leader for this type of equipment. This proton accelerator is intended for medical use. It produces radioisotopes, which are used all over the world every day by medical imaging centres in order to make advanced clinical oncology, cardiology and neurology diagnoses. IBA has 90% of the world market in this technology. 'Our company's ambition in purchasing a second high performance and extremely reliable machine is to respond to the growth on the Japanese market and to be able to increase our current market share', explained Akiyuki Furuya, Chairman of Daiichi Radioisotopes Laboratories. 'IBA's dominant position on the Japanese market, further strengthened by the sale of the second C30 to Daiichi Radioisotopes Laboratories, proves that we are highly competitive on a market which is seen as extremely demanding when it comes to both quality and performance', added Christian Vermeulen, chairman of IBA Technology Group. 'This contract, which we have signed with one of the leaders on the radioisotope market in Japan, is a further stage in the consolidation of IBA's position in the world of medical imaging and the production of SPECT radioisotopes.' About IBA Founded in 1986, IBA is a global innovator in the design and development of particle accelerators, therapeutic and diagnostic dosimetry equipment, sterilization and ionization services, and the production and distribution of radiopharmaceuticals. With operations at more than 50 sites, spanning 12 countries and 3 continents, IBA provides extensive expertise and state-of-the-art services and equipment to numerous world markets in healthcare and industry. A selection of IBA clients includes top-ranking medical device manufacturers, specialized centers for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and the United States Postal Service. IBA stock is listed on the pan-European stock exchange, EURONEXT, and is part of the market segment NextEconomy. Website: www.iba-worldwide.com. For further information please contact: IBA S.A. Paul-Emmanuel Goethals Business Development & Investor Relations Manager Telephone: +32 10 47 58 16 E-Mail: goethals@iba.be Yolaine d'Udekem Communication Manager Telephone: +32 10 47 59 60 E-Mail: ydu@iba.be (C) CompanynewsGroup