Press Release

 

Osmetech plc ('Osmetech' or the 'Company')

OSMETECH LICENSES WARFARIN BIOMARKER FROM MARSHFIELD CLINIC
2 November 2007

 

 

Marshfield Clinic and Osmetech today announce an exclusive licensing agreement for a new warfarin biomarker discovered at Marshfield Clinic

 

Under the agreement, Osmetech plc (AIM; LSE), an international diagnostics business serving the high growth molecular testing market, will develop, manufacture and sell a genetic test based on Marshfield Clinic research that will more accurately determine the initial level of warfarin a patient should be prescribed.

 

Researchers at Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, led by Michael Caldwell, M.D., Ph.D., are working to discover ways to more accurately predict dosage levels for warfarin, which is used as an anticoagulant. Warfarin is a commonly prescribed drug that has a high frequency of adverse drug events.

 

Every year, about 2 million patients in the United States begin warfarin therapy to prevent blood clots, heart attacks and stroke, according to estimates by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Currently, doctors rely on frequent blood tests to determine how well a patient’s warfarin dosage is working and adjust dosages accordingly. The optimum dosage for each patient is different, based on age, diet, medications in use and genetic factors.

 

Karl Ulrich, M.D., M.M.M., President/CEO, Marshfield Clinic said, “Marshfield Clinic is very pleased to be involved with Osmetech on this exciting and important project to develop a genetic test for warfarin to optimize its safety worldwide.

“We look forward to the day when our patients realize improved anticoagulation outcomes from incorporating our warfarin SNP marker into Osmetech’s XT-8 platform. This is a key first step in bringing our new genetic marker into the marketplace for widespread use.

 

“Warfarin research and anticoagulation clinics are but two examples of Marshfield Clinic’s dedication to improving patient care. Because of our dedicated staff we are able to carry out this type of research, make these types of discoveries and provide outstanding patient care.

 

“Licensing of this biomarker is just a byproduct of our commitment to our patients.”

 

James White, Chief Executive, Osmetech plc, said:

“We are excited to add this new SNP to our warfarin product which is due to be submitted later this year to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

 

“The marker provides additional information to improve the dosage accuracy over any other product on the market and will be run on our recently introduced XT-8 instrument. In combination, this will give Osmetech a compelling product offering that we plan to market in the first half of 2008. The addition of unique content to our compelling XT-8 instrument will further enhance our ability to become a significant player in the molecular diagnostic market.”

 

- Ends -

 

Osmetech plc                                               +44 (0)207 849 6027 James White, Chief Executive Officer David Sandilands, Chief Financial Officer

Madano Partnership                                         +44 (0) 207 593 4000 Mark Way / Graham Moonie

 

About Osmetech plc (www.osmetech.com)

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, serving the high growth, near patient testing market targeting small to medium sized hospitals.

 

About The Marshfield Clinic

The Marshfield Clinic system provides patient care, research and education with more than 40 locations in northern, central and western Wisconsin, making it one of the largest comprehensive medical systems in the United States.