Press Release

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

 

Osmetech submits swine flu test to the FDA

 

11 May 2009

 


Osmetech today announced that it has submitted a request to the US FDA for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for its Respiratory Pathogen Test Panel test to be used to screen for the swine flu virus.

 

Osmetech’s Respiratory Pathogen Test Panel test, which is expected to be launched as a research use only (RUO) product next quarter, detects and differentiates between 18 common bacterial and viral infections, including the Influenza A virus and its H1N1 subtype. Osmetech is currently developing an extension to the Respiratory Pathogen Test that will differentiate this H1N1 subtype between the human and swine forms of the virus.

Osmetech Respiratory Pathogen Test Panel test has been adapted from QIAGEN’s QIAplex-based respiratory viral test for use on Osmetech’s eSensor XT-8 molecular diagnostics system, under the terms of an agreement signed in September 2008.

 

James White, Chief Executive, Osmetech plc, said:


"We believe that our test is ideally suited for fast and reliable screening of Influenza A virus types, including the swine flu strain which is currently a major pandemic concern. The test will be run on our eSensor XT-8 platform, which is a small, portable and easy to use platform that has the potential to enable testing to occur in numerous locations."

 

Osmetech plc                                                         +44 (0)207 849 6027
James White, Chief Executive Officer                 +1 626 463 2000
David Sandilands, Chief Financial Officer

 

Madano Partnership                                             +44 (0) 207 593 4000
Mark Way
Matthew Moth
www.madano.com

 

Canacccord Adams Limited                             +44 (0) 207 050 6500
Robert Finlay