Nuclear medicine slump hits Sopha

The downturn in the U.S. nuclearmedicine market hit Sopha Medical Systems last week. The U.S.subsidiary of French gamma camera maker Sopha Medical said itwould lay off about 9% of its work force in reaction to a declinein gamma camera orders over the

The downturn in the U.S. nuclearmedicine market hit Sopha Medical Systems last week. The U.S.subsidiary of French gamma camera maker Sopha Medical said itwould lay off about 9% of its work force in reaction to a declinein gamma camera orders over the last three quarters.

The nuclear medicine market nosedived in the fourth quarterof 1993, and by most accounts has yet to return to its formerstrength (SCAN 4/6/94). Gamma camera vendors have been scramblingto adapt, including Sopha competitor ADAC Laboratories, whichimplemented a similar downsizing earlier this year (SCAN 5/4/94).

Most of the lost jobs at Sopha will come from production andadministrative support personnel, the Columbia, MD-based companysaid. Sopha has taken pains to avoid impacting customer serviceor R&D, according to president Colin McNaught.