HERCULES, CA and DUNDEE, SCOTLAND--(Marketwire - January 05, 2010) - Bio-Rad Laboratories,
Inc. (NYSE: BIO) and (NYSE: BIO.B), a multinational manufacturer and
distributor of life science research and clinical diagnostics products, and
Axis-Shield plc (LSE: ASD) (OSE: ASD), an international in-vitro
diagnostics (IVD) company, today announced the launch of Bio-Rad's
BioPlex® 2200 Anti-CCP test for the early detection of rheumatoid
arthritis. The assay, which will run on Bio-Rad's BioPlex® 2200 system,
measures anti-CCP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies), a novel
marker that has been shown to have superior specificity in the diagnosis of
rheumatoid arthritis. The BioPlex 2200 Anti-CCP kit is based on
Axis-Shield's proprietary anti-CCP technology. The assay is available for
sale in certain countries outside the U.S.
"The anti-CCP testing market is one of the fastest growing markets in
autoimmune diagnostics," said John Goetz, Bio-Rad Vice President and Group
Manager of Clinical Diagnostics. "The addition of this assay will add
significantly to our growing menu of autoimmune tests on the BioPlex 2200
system."
"We are very pleased that Bio-Rad has reached this important commercial
milestone in our agreement and believe that availability on the BioPlex
system will help expand the market for this important early marker for this
debilitating condition," said Ian Gilham, Axis-Shield CEO. "The measurement
of these antibodies has recently been cited as a key parameter in the
definitive diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis by the influential American
College of Rheumatology."
The BioPlex 2200 system is a fully automated, random-access multiplex
testing platform with an assay menu targeting autoimmune diagnostics and
infectious diseases. In the U.S., the BioPlex 2200 Anti-CCP kit is pending
clearance by the FDA.
About Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO) and (NYSE: 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 diagnostic 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 approximately 6,500 people globally and had revenues exceeding $1.7
billion in 2008. For more information, visit www.bio-rad.com.
About Axis-Shield
Axis-Shield is an international in vitro diagnostics company, headquartered
in Dundee with R&D and manufacturing bases in Dundee and Oslo. The Group
specialises in the supply of instruments and tests for the rapidly growing
physician's office testing market and the development, manufacture and
marketing of innovative proprietary diagnostics kits in areas of clinical
need, including cardiovascular and neurological diseases, rheumatoid
arthritis, and diabetes. For more information on Axis-Shield, please refer
to www.axis-shield.com.
This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements generally
can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as,
"believe," "expect," "may," "will," "intend," "estimate," "continue," or
similar expressions or the negative of those terms or expressions. Such
statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual
results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by the
forward-looking statements. For further information regarding the Company's
risks and uncertainties, please refer to the "Risk Factors" in the
Company's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company cautions
you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which
reflect an analysis only and speak only as of the date hereof. Bio-Rad
Laboratories, Inc., disclaims any obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
