Axis-Shield PLC and Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Announce Launch of New Anti-CCP Test for Bio-Rad’s BioPlex 2200 System

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.

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