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Osmetech Licenses Roche Hot Start(R) Polymerase Technology

Tue, 05 Jun 2007, 22:54:00 EDT

Edited by Carly Zander

PASADENA, Calif. - June 5 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Osmetech plc (AIM; LSE) today announced that it has been granted a non-exclusive worldwide diagnostics license from Swiss-based F. Hoffman LaRoche Ltd and its US affiliate Roche Molecular Systems Inc. (collectively "Roche") to use Hot Start(R) polymerase technology in Osmetech nucleic acid diagnostic assays.

This license allows Osmetech to include Hot Start(R) polymerase as part of the diagnostic kit providing Osmetech customers with a cost savings and level of convenience, and demonstrates Osmetech's diagnostic commitment of including everything in a kit rather than having the customer source and license components from various vendors.

This latest license complements our highly sensitive electrochemical detection platform that is backed by an extensive patent portfolio, says Osmetech CEO James White. "We have over 145 granted patents worldwide,and several key in-licenses, built on acquisitions and collaborations with the likes of Harvard University, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Motorola, Clinical Micro Sensors, Inc., University of North Carolina, Concordia University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Michigan, University of Washington, and Epidauros. This agreement with Roche will provide an added benefit for our customers who will not be required to obtain this license from Roche and pay Hot Start(R) polymerase royalties on tests performed when using Osmetech products."

In 2006 Osmetech launched the eSensor(R) platform, an FDA cleared electrochemistry-based array system for cystic fibrosis carrier detection, and is currently in the process of completing its next generation instrument, the eSensor(R) XT8. Osmetech plans to seek FDA approval for and launch of this instrument with a CYP450/VKOR, a test to determine a patient's response to warfarin, later this year. The CYP450/VKOR assay is the first of many pharmacogenomic assays planned for the system, which is designed to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding field of personalized medicine.

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, serving the high growth, near patient testing market targeting small to medium sized hospitals. Osmetech has launched eSensor(R), an FDA cleared electrochemistry-based array system, for cystic fibrosis carrier detection and plan to launch a number of pharmacogenomic assays utilizing the same proprietary technology.

More information: www.osmetech.com.

Ticker: AIM LSE: OMH (London Stock Exchange)

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