Genedrive Regulatory News (GDR)

genedrive plc ("genedrive" or the "Company")

genedrive launches Genedrive® Hepatitis C test in Africa

Genedrive® HCV ID Kit to be launched at IFCC WorldLab 2017 Congress

genedrive plc (AIM: GDR), the near patient molecular diagnostics company, will launch the decentralised Hepatitis C assay, Genedrive® HCV ID Kit, at the IFCC WorldLab 2017 Congress from 22 - 25 October 2017 in Durban, South Africa.

genedrive recently announced it had signed a distribution agreement with Sysmex Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of Sysmex Corporation, for the Genedrive® HCV ID Kit and the Genedrive® platform in the EMEA region with an initial focus on Africa, with the rest of the EMEA region to follow. Working together, the companies will focus on securing the required regulatory approvals in individual territories of Africa and genedrive anticipates commercial traction during the 2017/2018 financial year.

The Genedrive® HCV assay is performed on the Genedrive® instrument, an innovative and affordable system providing molecular diagnostics at the point of need. The proprietary assay is performed directly from a small, 30ul plasma sample and does not require a separate viral nucleic acid extraction process. The assay provides results within 90 minutes from lyophilised PCR reagents packaged into a single-use, disposable cartridge.

Come and see Genedrive® HCV ID Kit in action at the Sysmex booth, 30, or for further information visit www.genedrive.com.

WorldLab 2017 is a congress focused on innovative science, evidence-based laboratory medicine and an emphasis on personalised medicine. WorldLab 2017 is also being organized in co-operation with the African Federation of Clinical Chemistry (AFCC).

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For further details please contact:

genedrive plc

David Budd: CEO +44 (0)161 989 0245

Matthew Fowler: CFO

Sysmex Europe GmbH

Fernando Andreu: Senior Executive Officer +49 40 527 260

Jens Behrens: Director, Marketing Communications

Consilium Strategic Communications

Chris Gardner +44 (0)203 709 5700

Matthew Neal

Laura Thornton

genedrive@consilium-comms.com 

Notes to Editors

About genedrive plc

genedrive plc is a molecular diagnostics company developing and commercialising a low cost, rapid, versatile, simple to use and robust point of need molecular diagnostics platform for the diagnosis of infectious diseases and for use in patient stratification (genotyping), pathogen detection and other indications. The Genedrive® platform and MTB/RIF test have been launched in India and a Genedrive® HCV test has received CE-IVD Certification and has been launched in Africa.

Further details can be found at: www.genedriveplc.com and www.genedrive.com 

About Sysmex

Sysmex Corporation is a world leader in clinical laboratory systemization and solutions, including laboratory diagnostics, laboratory automation and clinical information systems. Serving customers for more than 40 years, Sysmex focuses on technological leadership in diagnostic science and information tools that make a difference in the health of people worldwide. The company is also exploring emerging opportunities in the life science field. Its R&D efforts focus on the development of high-value-added testing and diagnostic technologies that are innovative, original and optimize individual health. Sysmex also seeks to leverage its state-of-the-art technologies for cell, gene and protein analysis. The company, headquartered in Kobe, Japan, has subsidiaries in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, China and Asia Pacific and employs about 8,000 employees worldwide. Sysmex Corporation is listed in the top tier of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. For more information about Sysmex Corporation and its affiliate companies, please visit http://www.sysmex.co.jp/en/, and for details on Sysmex Africa https://www.sysmex.co.za/

About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C (HCV) is an international public health challenge, comparable to other major communicable diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. It is estimated that 150-200 million people, or approximately 3% of the world's population, are living with chronic HCV, and more than 350,000 people die yearly from HCV related diseases. In 2016, WHO published the first global health sector strategy on Hepatitis with a goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030. New oral, well-tolerated treatment regimens can achieve cure rates of over 90% however access to rapid, inexpensive and accurate diagnostics are a critical bottleneck that must be addressed to eradicate HCV.