RNS Number:8866P
Osmetech PLC
12 March 2008
12 March 2008
Osmetech licenses Roche polymerase technology
Osmetech plc (AIM; LSE) today announced that it has been granted a broad
non-exclusive worldwide diagnostics license from Swiss-based F. Hoffman LaRoche
Ltd and its US affiliate Roche Molecular Systems Inc. (collectively "Roche") to
use chemically modified thermostable polymerases for applications including
existing products on the market, other genetic predisposition assays, companion
diagnostics and infectious diseases such as HPV.
Thermostable polymerases are widely used in PCR (the polymerase chain reaction)
to amplify select segments of nucleic acids, including genomic DNA, so that
sufficient signal is available for diagnostic processing. The licensed Roche
technology improves upon that paradigm by artificially controlling the
polymerase enzyme to be active only at high temperatures. This minimses the
level of undesired amplifications, which typically occur at lower temperatures,
resulting in a highly efficient and sensitive amplified assay.
James White, CEO of Osmetech commented:
"This license will benefit both new and existing customers who will not be
required to obtain this license from Roche and pay royalties on tests performed
when using Osmetech products. We see this as another good example where
Osmetech is simplifying molecular diagnostics by including this critical
component in an easy to use kit format for customers. This license complements
our highly sensitive electrochemical detection platform that is backed by an
extensive patent portfolio with over 85 U.S. patents and many others worldwide."
Osmetech plc
Geoff McKinley, VP R&D and Business Development +1 626 463 2000 x8067
James White, Chief Executive Officer +44 (0)207 849 6027
David Sandilands, Chief Financial Officer +44 (0)207 849 6027
Madano Partnership +44 (0) 207 593 4000
Matthew Moth, Mark Way
Hoare Govett Limited +44 (0) 207 678 8000
Andrew Foster (Corporate Broking)
Justin Jones (Corporate Finance)
About Osmetech
Osmetech plc is an AIM-listed public company on the London Stock Exchange. The
company is a fast developing, international molecular diagnostics business with
operations in Boston and Pasadena in the US, targeting hospitals and reference
laboratories in this high growth market sector.
In 2006 Osmetech launched the eSensor(R) platform, an FDA cleared
electrochemistry-based array system for cystic fibrosis carrier detection, and
is currently waiting FDA clearance of its next generation instrument, the
eSensor(R) XT8 along with CYP450/VKOR, a test to determine a patient's response
to warfarin. For more information about Osmetech, visit http://
www.osmetech.com
Osmetech has over 85 U.S. patents and many others worldwide. This new license
complements several key in-licenses built on acquisitions and collaborations
with organisations including Harvard University, California Institute of
Technology (Caltech), Motorola, Inc., Clinical Micro Sensors, Inc., University
of North Carolina, Concordia University, Johns Hopkins University, University of
Michigan, University of Washington, and Epidauros Biotechnologie AG.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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