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Primagen and Roche Molecular Systems Initiate Discussions to Develop Dry Filter Spot Technology for HIV-1 Viral Load Testing in the Developing World

Posted on: Tuesday, 11 October 2005, 12:00 CDT

AMSTERDAM, October 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Primagen Holding BV, The Netherlands and Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. (RMS), Pleasanton, California today announced the initiation of discussions about a development program to enable Primagen's Dry Filter Spot (DFS) technology to be used with RMS' COBAS TaqMan Tests and AMPLICOR(R) HIV-1 Tests viral load diagnostic products. DFS technology allows for simple collection and transportation of blood or plasma samples from remote locations to clinical laboratories equipped to perform the HIV viral load test. This is a significant step in supporting AIDS care programs in the developing world that use HIV-1 viral load monitoring as an integral component of assessing and managing anti-viral treatment.

Bob van Gemen, CEO, Primagen commented, "The Company has seen a dramatic increase in the demand for our DFS testing programs which are based in the Netherlands. To insure there is broad access to viral load testing throughout the developing world it was logical to align our service testing menu with the market leader in viral load testing."

DFS technology has revolutionized blood sampling and the subsequent viral load testing of HIV patients, specifically in developing nations. The DFS specimen, once dried, is non infectious and stable, so testing can occur in either the local country, or if resources for testing are limited, can be sent via mail to qualified laboratories using the Roche AMPLICOR(R) HIV-1 MONITOR Tests and COBAS TaqMan HIV-1 Tests anywhere in the world.

Currently Primagen markets their DFS technology to global markets as a laboratory service; including Africa, the Caribbean, India, China and other markets where lack of resources and laboratory capabilities prevents access to critical viral load testing.

Primagen anticipates that this development collaboration will lead to further announcements between the two organizations combined efforts to bring their respective technologies to patients to minimize challenges associated with blood collection, storage and transportation.

About Primagen

Primagen Holding B.V. is a privately held company headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Primagen designs, develops and commercializes molecular tests that have high, individualized predictive value and improve the quality of life for patients suffering from life-threatening diseases, such as infections, AIDS and cancer. Primagen's success is built on a unique combination of an international scientific network and excellent capabilities for product development, manufacturing and marketing. The company is solution-driven and selects those leads for potential products in which proprietary intellectual property can be leveraged rapidly from bench to market. Primagen has two marketed molecular product lines; Retina(TM) Mitox products measure mitochondrial DNA and RNA in clinical samples with unmatched accuracy and predict the onset of clinical symptoms as a result of mitochondrial toxicity. The Retina(TM) Rainbow product enables detection of all circulating HIV-1 subtypes and combined with Primagen's proprietary dried bloodspot filter paper technology brings HIV-1 viral load measurement to Africa and other resource-poor countries. Primagen is expanding its product portfolio in the areas of drug toxicity and from virus discovery, with recent patent applications for duplex amplification and for two new viruses

Primagen Holding B.V.

CONTACT: For further information: Sales enquiries, Primagen Marketing &Sales, Tel: +31-20-566-8569, Fax: +31-20-566-9081, info@primagen.com;Investor enquiries, Primagen Investor Relations, Tel: +31-20-566-8576, Fax:+31-20-566-9081, investor.relations@primagen.com

Source: PRNewswire

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