OMH Osmetech

RNS Number:5163D
Osmetech PLC
14 May 2001





Osmetech plc

14 May 2001



                       Osmetech Awarded Microbiological

                          "Electronic nose" Patents





  * Four new patents granted to further support Osmetech's core sensor
    technology and healthcare strategy.


  * Latest patents add to the IPR of the Company, which already has the
    largest patent portfolio in electronic-nose industry.




Osmetech plc, the UK-based developer of electronic sensors able to detect
disease-causing bacteria in human samples, has today been awarded four new
patents. Taken together with Osmetech's existing portfolio of patents (already
the largest in its field) the announcement today means that the Company has
further consolidated its lead on the rest of the electronic-nose industry in
terms of IPR. Osmetech now has a total of 52 patents covering its sensor
technology and applications.


Osmetech's technology platform is built on a unique product consisting of an
array of conducting polymer sensors, which are able to detect volatile gases
emitted by disease-causing bacteria. The Company is concentrating on
developing applications for the global healthcare market, including sensors
that can detect for bacteria associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs),
bacterial vaginosis (BV) and pneumonia in ICU patients.


The new patents, three of which relate to the Company's core sensor technology
and one to the field of healthcare, have been awarded by a combination of U.S.
and E.U. patent offices.




James White, Chief Executive, Osmetech plc said:

"Today's announcement signals an unequivocal strengthening of Osmetech's first
mover advantage in the healthcare segment of the electronic nose industry. The
award of these patents lends further credence to our core technology and
cements the Company's position as world number one in its field."




Enquiries


Osmetech   01270 216 444

James White, Chief Executive


Bell Pottinger Financial  020 7353 9203

Matthew Moth/Rebecca Fox






Notes to Editors


  * Osmetech plc designs, develops and manufactures electronic odour sensors
    (electronic noses) for use in the healthcare sector. Osmetech's
    multi-sensor array based gas sensing technology screens patient samples
    and tests for the presence of infection-causing bacteria. The Company has
    become a world leader in electronic nose development, with the use of its
    conducting polymers produced by the electro-polymerisation of derivatives
    of polypyrole, polyaniline and polythiophenes.


  * The Company, which is based in Crewe, is currently focusing its IP
    development on sensors that can detect bacteria associated with urinary
    tract infections (UTIs), bacterial vaginosis (BV) and pneumonia in ICU
    patients.


  * In January 2000, Osmetech announced that the first set of trials of its
    UTI sensor product had been successful. The trials, which were carried out
    at St Thomas', London, and the Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard, USA,
    enabled the company to obtain "proof of concept" status for its
    technology.


  * In October 2000, the Board of Osmetech announced that, following a large
    proof of concept study at St George's Hospital Medical School, London,
    Osmetech's Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Microbial Analyser matched the
    diagnostic performance of the existing "gold standard" diagnostic test.


  * In April 2001, the Company announced that it had submitted its UTI
    sensor technology for approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
    (FDA). FDA approval of Osmetech's UTI sensor technology would represent
    the strongest possible regulatory endorsement of the Company's core
    technology. Contingent on receiving FDA approval, Osmetech intends to
    bring its sensor technology to market, by signing up a suitable licensing
    partner in the United States, where the size of the healthcare market
    provides enormous opportunities.


  * This document does not constitute an offer of the Company's securities
    for sale in the United States. The Company's securities may not be offered
    or sold in the United States absent registration or exemption from
    regulation. No public offering of the Company's securities is being made
    in the United States.

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