Agreement with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics (6375Q)

TIDMASD

RNS Number : 6375Q

Axis-Shield PLC

21 October 2011

AXIS-SHIELD PLC

AXIS-SHIELD SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS TO DEVELOP ANTI-CCP ASSAY FOR SIEMENS' ADVIA CENTAUR(R) SYSTEM

Effective early marker of rheumatoid arthritis to be added to Siemens' ADVIA Centaur menu for use in clinical laboratory testing

Dundee, Scotland, 21 October 2011. Axis-Shield plc (LSE:ASD, OSE:ASD) ("Axis-Shield" or the "Company"), the international and innovative in vitro diagnostics company, today announces that it has signed an umbrella development, supply and licence agreement with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, globally headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, initially to cover incorporation of an anti-CCP test for early detection of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) developed by Axis-Shield onto the Siemens ADVIA Centaur Immunoassay System, an automated platform for use in clinical laboratories.

This new agreement with Siemens is in line with Axis-Shield's strategy to develop and commercialise its proprietary diagnostic tests through direct sales and licence agreements. Axis-Shield currently markets its anti-CCP test for use on high-throughput clinical laboratory analysers through licence agreements with multinational partners including Abbott Diagnostics and Bio-Rad. In the first half of 2011 sales of Axis-Shield's anti-CCP assay contributed GBP2.3 million to Group revenues.

The anti-CCP assay is regarded by many experts as the most significant recent development in the early diagnosis of RA, facilitating improved management of this widespread and debilitating condition, which affects more than two million people in the USA alone. The disease occurs in all races and ethnic groups and although it often begins in middle age and is particularly prevalent in older people, it can also develop in children and young adults. RA occurs in two to three times more women than men.

It has been demonstrated that anti-CCP is a very specific marker for RA and that levels in arthritic patients may be elevated some years before development of symptoms(1) .This is very important in patient management, particularly as early use of modern and powerful anti-rheumatic drugs may slow disease onset and progression.

The 2010 formal adoption of anti-CCP testing in the classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis by both the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism has confirmed the value of anti-CCP in diagnosing and managing rheumatoid arthritis, and promoted market development.

Ian Gilham, Chief Executive Officer of Axis-Shield, commented: "We are pleased to be working with Siemens to incorporate this test onto the menu of the versatile and widely placed ADVIA Centaur System. We believe the presence of Siemens in the anti-CCP marketplace will stimulate further sales growth of this important marker."

-Ends-

(1) . Pruijn et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2010, 12:203

For further enquiries, please contact:

 
 Axis-Shield plc 
 Ian Gilham, Chief                               Tel: +44 203 178 7849 
  Executive Officer 
  Ronny Hermansen, 
  Finance Director 
 
  M:Communications 
 Peter Laing / Emma                              Tel: +44 207 920 2330 
  Thompson / Claire                   E-mail: axisshield@mcomgroup.com 
  Dickinson 
 Corporate Communications 
  (Norway) 
 Geir Bjorlo / Hakon                              Tel: +47 23 89 89 30 
  Ronning

Notes for Editors

About Axis-Shield

Headquartered in Dundee with R&D and manufacturing facilities in Dundee and Oslo, Axis-Shield is a leading international and innovative company operating in faster growing segments of the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) market. Axis-Shield provides point-of-care testing via its Afinion(TM) and NycoCard(R) instruments and also serves the clinical laboratory through the development of novel tests, particularly for the high throughput analysers of blue-chip original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The Company has a strong franchise in the diabetes testing market and is developing a cholesterol/lipid panel for testing at the point-of-care, both major areas for future growth. Through its Direct Distribution division, Axis-Shield also markets its own and other third-party products including medical devices to end users in key markets including the USA, Germany, Switzerland, the UK and the Nordic region. For more information on Axis-Shield, please refer to www.axis-shield.com

About Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, part of the Siemens Healthcare Sector and a global leader in clinical diagnostics, provides healthcare professionals in hospital, reference, and physician office laboratories and point-of-care settings with the vital information required to accurately diagnose, treat, and monitor patients. Our innovative portfolio of performance-driven solutions and personalized customer care combine to streamline workflow, enhance operational efficiency, and support improved patient outcomes. www.siemens.com/diagnostics

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