Avacta Group Regulatory News (AVCT)

 27 November 2013

Avacta Group plc

("Avacta" or the "Group")

New canine lymphoma blood test launched

Avacta Group plc (AIM: AVCT), the global provider of proprietary diagnostic tools, consumables and reagents for human and animal healthcare announced at the recent London Vet Show that its new canine lymphoma blood test was now available to veterinary practices in the UK.

Lymphoma is one of the most common malignancies to affect dogs, accounting for approximately 20% of all canine tumours. It can be seen in any breed of dog with some breeds showing particularly high incidence, including Golden Retrievers, Boxers, German Shepherds and Terriers.

Avacta has completed the development of the new canine lymphoma blood test (cLBT) which is now being provided to vets through reference laboratory services in the UK under Avacta's SensiTest® brand. Avacta is now seeking commercial partners in global markets who will be supplied with testing kits and in due course the cLBT will also be offered on the in-clinic Sensipod testing platform.

The cLBT enables detection of lymphoma up to eight weeks prior to physical symptoms (swollen lymph nodes) becoming easily detectable by palpation. This simple blood test is more objective and sensitive than palpation, is able to differentiate clearly between benign and malignant lymphadenopathy, and is aimed at allowing veterinarians to diagnose and treat lymphoma patients earlier in the disease progression which should lead to better outcomes. The cLBT has also been shown in clinical trials to be effective in remission monitoring if used monthly following chemotherapy.

The cLBT is a simple procedure that requires serum from 2ml of whole blood. The test measures the level of c-reactive protein and haptoglobin using Avacta's proprietary tests, then combines the results with a unique and proprietary algorithm to provide accurate results to assist in the diagnosis of lymphoma that could not be achieved with the measurement of a single biomarker alone.

Alastair Smith, CEO of Avacta Commented: "The London Vet Show 2013 brings together more veterinary professionals and exhibitors than any other event in the UK, making it the perfect platform for Avacta Animal Health to launch its latest innovation - the canine lymphoma blood test. This is the first of many new tests that will be made available to vets through our reference laboratory and test kits, and on our in-clinic analyser Sensipod® in the next year or so. I am particularly pleased that this approach of using multiple biomarkers that are combined with a multivariate algorithm, is proving to be a powerful generic approach which we are applying to other high value testing opportunities with good results."

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About Avacta Group plc - www.avacta.com

Avacta Group plc is a global provider of innovative technologies, consumables and reagents for the life science markets, from drug discovery to diagnostics. Avacta operates through three divisions:

Avacta joined AIM in August 2006 and is based in Wetherby, England.

To find out more about Avacta Animal Health's canine lymphoma blood test, SENSIPOD or SENSITEST® pet allergy tests visit the Avacta Animal Health website www.avactaanimalhealth.com or by calling 0800 8494 550 or emailing customer.services@avacta.com.