Positron hits the ropes

PET vendor Positron could be headed for bankruptcy. An independent auditor has expressed "substantial doubt" that the company, which was among the pioneers of positron imaging, could continue much longer as a "going concern." The auditor's comments were reported in Positron's annual report, filed March 29 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As of Dec. 31, 2001, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $635,000 compared with cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $2,201,000 a year earlier. Positron has accumulated a deficit of more than $54 million since its inception in 1983, according to the auditor's statement. Only about 19 of the company's Posicam PET scanners are currently in operation, 15 of them in the U.S. The company must increase system sales to become profitable, something it has not been able to do in its 20-year history, or obtain additional capital, according to the auditor.