Healthcare Industry News: Bio-Rad Laboratories
News Release - January 11, 2007
Bio-Rad and Axis-Shield PLC Sign Agreement for Anti-CCP Test for Early Detection of Rheumatoid Arthritis
HERCULES, CA and DUNDEE, SCOTLAND--(Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network)--Jan 11, 2007 -- Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (AMEX:BIO ) (AMEX:BIO-B ), a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research and clinical diagnostics products and Axis-Shield (London:ASD.L ) (OSE: ASD), an international in vitro diagnostics company, announced today that they have signed an agreement that gives Bio-Rad access to Axis-Shield's test for the early detection of rheumatoid arthritis. The assay, which will run on Bio-Rad's BioPlex® 2200 system, tests for anti-CCP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies). The anti-CCP assay is a significant recent development in the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, facilitating improved management of this widespread and debilitating condition."The ability to incorporate an anti-CCP test as part of a rheumatoid arthritis panel will add significantly to our growing menu of autoimmune tests on the BioPlex 2200 system," said John Goetz, Bio-Rad Vice President and Group Manager of Clinical Diagnostics. "As the first and only fully automated, random access multiplex testing platform, the BioPlex 2200 system is ideally suited as a platform for multi-marker autoimmune testing that includes rheumatoid arthritis."
"We are very pleased that our important patented assay for anti-CCP will be added to the menu of this versatile platform," said Svein Lien, Axis-Shield CEO. "We have a history of successful collaboration with Bio-Rad, which is a highly respected and pioneering organization in life sciences and a major player in human diagnostic testing and believe the BioPlex 2200 system will add an extra dimension to anti-CCP marketing."
The BioPlex 2200 system is a fully automated, random access multiplex testing platform that can deliver up to 2200 results per hour. The system currently includes a panel of assays targeting autoimmune diagnostics.
About Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (AMEX:BIO ) (AMEX:BIO-B ) has remained at the center of scientific discovery for more than 50 years manufacturing and distributing a broad range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostics markets. The company is renowned worldwide among hospitals, universities, major research institutions as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for its commitment to quality and customer service. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is headquartered in Hercules, California, and serves more than 85,000 research and industry customers worldwide through its global network of operations. The company employs over 5,000 people globally and had revenues of $1.1 billion in 2005. For more information, visit www.bio-rad.com.
About Axis-Shield
Axis-Shield is a global manufacturer of in vitro diagnostic kits with a focus on new markers in cardiovascular, rheumatoid, infectious and alcohol-related diseases, diabetes, dementia, and near patient testing to facilitate improved patient management. News releases and company information are available at www.axis-shield.com
Various statements made within this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" for the purposes of the Securities and Exchange Commission's "safe harbor" provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements contained herein involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from the Company's expectation.
Source: Bio-Rad Laboratories
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