Press Release

 

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

Osmetech licenses Roche polymerase technology

12 March 2008

 

 

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® 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® 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.