Dade Behring Grants Rights to American Diagnostica for the Use of Factor VII-Activating Protease (FSAP).

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Dade Behring Inc.(NASDAQ:DADE), the world's largest company solely dedicated to clinical diagnostics, announced today that they have granted rights to American Diagnostica, a manufacturer and supplier of clinical diagnostics and research products, for the in vitro diagnostic use of factor VII-activating protease (FSAP) for the development of diagnostic tests that are intended to be used in the detection of the early stages of cardiovascular disease and to study the role of FSAP in coagulation disorders. This agreement also provides American Diagnostica with the rights to sell FSAP antibodies.

The study of factor VII-activating protease is especially important to the clinical diagnostic industry because of its potential for the use in identifying individuals at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Under this agreement, American Diagnostica plans to develop two test kits that will provide researchers and clinicians with the ability to discover information that could allow FSAP to be developed into a clinical laboratory test. Dade Behring expects to commercialize these tests in the future.

"As a global leader in cardiovascular testing, finding ways to further advance diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, the world's number one health threat, is a high priority for our company," said Jim Reid-Anderson, Chairman, President and CEO, Dade Behring. "We actively seek partnerships such as this to ensure patients' access to the best cardiovascular care available, including this new opportunity which may lead to the ability for earlier detection of cardiovascular disease in patients."

Under an agreement with ZLB Behring GmbH, Dade Behring holds the exclusive license for the worldwide human in vitro diagnostic rights for inventions of ZLB Behring that relate to the factor VII-activating protease and mutant forms of FSAP. The agreement was signed with Aventis Behring in November 2003, prior to Aventis Behring becoming ZLB Behring.

About factor VII-activating protease (FSAP) and its significance in cardiovascular disease

A mutant form of FSAP, called the Marburg I single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), has shown promise as a significant and independent risk predictor for the progression of carotid stenosis and the risk for cardiovascular events(1),(2). Carotid stenosis is a condition characterized by the buildup of plaque, or fatty material, which slowly narrows the blood flow in the carotid arteries leading to the brain. This cardiovascular disease state can lead to stroke. It has been estimated that about 5 percent of the population is a carrier of the Marburg I single nucleotide polymorphism.

Because FSAP provides a linkage between the activation of the coagulation system and the break down of blood clots, FSAP holds a key position in the delicate balance between blood clot formation and degradation. The FSAP Marburg I variant has a reduced ability to activate prourokinase, but has retained its potential to activate factor VII. This leads to an imbalance of the coagulation (blood clotting) system toward a procoagulatory state, a condition that could increase the risk of thrombotic events and therefore the potential to develop blood clots.

About Dade Behring

With 2005 revenue of nearly $1.7 billion, Dade Behring is the world's largest company solely dedicated to clinical diagnostics. It offers a wide range of products, systems and services designed to meet the day-to-day needs of labs, delivering innovative solutions to customers and enhancing the quality of life for patients. Additional company information is available on the Internet at www.dadebehring.com.

About American Diagnostica

Committed to providing superior products to improve the quality of life, American Diagnostica is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of innovative assay systems and reagents for blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, hemostasis, and thrombosis. Products are available from the Connecticut corporate headquarters, subsidiaries in Canada, France, and Germany, and through distributors worldwide. Additional information is available on the Internet at www.americandiagnostica.com.

1. Willeit J, Kiechl S, Weimer T, Mair A, Santer P, Wiedermann C, Romisch J. 2003. Marburg I polymorphism of factor VII-activating protease: a prominent risk predictor of carotid stenosis. Circulation 2003;107:667-670.

2. Ireland H, Miller GJ, Webb KE, Cooper JA, Humphries SE. 2004. The factor VII-activating protease G511E (Marburg) variant and cardiovascular risk. Thromb Haemost; 92:986-992.