North American Scientific Drug Gets FDA Approval

North American Scientific Inc. has received FDA approval to market its second-generation iodine-125 brachytherapy radiation source for treating prostate cancer, the North Hollywood-based company said.

The company has filed for patent protection for the enhanced drug, which will be marketed by Mentor Corp. under the trade name IoGold. In February, North American Scientific announced FDA approval of its initial source design, also marketed by Mentor Corp.

Surgical implantation of iodine-125 sources has earned growing acceptance for the treatment of prostate cancer.

North American Scientific manufactures and markets low-level radioactive sources for medical, scientific and industrial uses.