Beacon Diagnostics Signs Agreement with Kainos Laboratories for Distribution of Saliva-based Tests for HIV and Hepatitis in Japan.FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 23, 1996--Beacon Diagnostics, Inc. announced today that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Kainos Laboratories, Inc., a leading diagnostics company in Tokyo. The agreement gives Kainos marketing rights in Japan for Beacon's OraScreen HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. Rapid Test, as well as two hepatitis tests currently under development. Kainos immediately will initiate the regulatory process in Japan to obtain marketing approval for the OraScreen HIV Rapid Test. The two companies will cooperate in the development of tests for the diagnosis and management of hepatitis. Kainos also will purchase approximately 2% of the common stock of Beacon for $1 million. "Kainos is an outstanding partner for Beacon," stated Jerome A. Mattingly, Ph.D., president of Beacon. "The company is positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping the market for innovative diagnostic tests in Japan. By investing in Beacon, Kainos further validates our technology." "Beacon's products complement our existing product lines and will give us an opportunity to develop new markets in Japan by introducing point of care diagnostics into the physician's office and ultimately the over the counter market," Masanori Hirakawa, president of Kainos, commented. "We will collaborate with Beacon to develop the hepatitis tests and to tailor them to the needs of the Japanese market. Based on Beacon's technical strength, we are investing in the company to further accelerate its development and to share in its growth." Beacon Diagnostics recently announced that it signed a worldwide exclusive agreement with Centocor, Inc., to use Centocor's antigens and antibodies in the development of saliva-based test for detection of cancer. Beacon will develop, manufacture and market tumor marker tumor marker n. A substance, released into the circulation by tumor tissue, whose detection in the serum indicates the presence of a specific type of tumor. assays using saliva saliva Thick, colourless fluid constantly present in the mouth, composed of water, mucus, proteins, mineral salts, and amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starches. One to two litres are produced daily by the salivary glands. to identify cancers of the gastrointestinal tract gastrointestinal tract n. The part of the digestive system consisting of the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Gastrointestinal tract , ovary ovary, ductless gland of the female in which the ova (female reproductive cells) are produced. In vertebrate animals the ovary also secretes the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which control the development of the sexual organs and the secondary sexual , breast and prostate. Beacon also previously announced that it has begun marketing the OraScreen HIV Rapid Test in the Caribbean and has established a second manufacturing site in Mexico to supply materials for its U.S. clinical trials. Beacon Diagnostics, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets diagnostic products for the rapid detection of antibodies and antigens in noninvasive specimens, such as saliva. Beacon has four technology platforms. First, the OraScreen technology is a dipstick-based system used in Beacon's first product, The OraScreen HIV Rapid Test. The second is an antigen detection system that is based upon a dipstick dipstick /dip·stick/ (dip´stik) a strip of cellulose chemically impregnated to render it sensitive to protein, glucose, or other substances in the urine. format. The third is a "Mail-In" test system that is a hybrid between the OraScreen technology and the ELISA ELISA (e-li´sah) Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay; any enzyme immunoassay using an enzyme-labeled immunoreactant and an immunosorbent. ELISA n. technology normally used in a clinical laboratory. The fourth technology, LIDA LIDA Linguistic Assistant for Domain Analysis LIDA Learning Intelligent Distribution Agent LIDA List of Inherited Disorders in Animals LIDA Lebanese Investment Development Authority , is a novel homogeneous phase technology being developed for use in detecting either antigens or antibodies in a single step. Beacon is a privately held company privately held company A firm whose shares are held within a relatively small circle of owners and are not traded publicly. headquartered in Foster City. CONTACT: Beacon Diagnostics, Inc., Foster City Dr. Jerome Mattingly, 415/574-4800 |
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