AXIS-SHIELD PLC SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH DPC REGARDING ANTI-CCP TEST FOR EARLY DETECTION OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS ON THE IMMULITE® AUTOMATED IMMUNOASSAY SYSTEM

Axis-Shield (LSE:ASD, OSE:ASD), the international in vitro diagnostics company, today announces that it has signed an agreement with Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC) of Los Angeles, California, to incorporate a test for anti-CCP (for the early detection of rheumatoid arthritis) on the IMMULITE® family of analysers.

The anti-CCP assay is regarded by many experts as the most significant recent development in early disease diagnosis and potential improved management of this widespread and debilitating condition, affecting over 2 million people in the USA alone. The IMMULITE® chemiluminescent immunoassay system is designed for ease of use, reliability, high-performance assays and fully integrated operation. Worldwide, IMMULITE® systems have been chosen for various types of immunoassay testing due to their flexible platforms and breadth of menu.

Svein Lien, Axis-Shield CEO, commented: “We are very pleased that our important patented assay for anti-CCP will be added to the menu of this widely-placed and versatile platform. We have already licensed homocysteine to DPC for IMMULITE® platforms and we look forward to furthering our collaboration with this successful and respected organisation, which is a major player in the immunoassay marketplace.”