IDH.L Regulatory News (IDH)

12 Feb 2007 07:02

Immunodiagnostic Systems Hldgs PLC12 February 2007 For immediate release: 12th February, 2007 Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings PLC ("IDS" or the "Company") Board Appointment Appointment of Technical Director to drive Automation programme IDS, a leading producer of diagnostic testing kits, announces the appointment ofDr. Martha Louise Garrity as Technical Director of the Company with immediateeffect. Dr Garrity brings 11 years of experience gained in senior appointmentswithin the In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) industry, and almost unique skills in theautomation of immunoassays, of immediate relevance to the strategic plans ofIDS. Dr. Garrity, aged 46, graduated in Chemistry from the University of NewHampshire and went on to gain a Doctorate in Organic Chemistry from theUniversity of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. She then became a Post-DoctoralFellow in the Chemical Separations Group at the prestigious Oak Ridge NationalLaboratory, Tennessee. In 1992, she joined Nycomed Salutar, a California-based pharmaceutical company,and spent three years synthesizing target compounds and MRI contrast agents. Dr Garrity entered the commercial In Vitro Diagnostics industry, joining NicholsInstitute Diagnostics (NID, San Clemente, California a subsidiary of QuestDiagnostics) in 1995 as a Senior R&D Scientist. She became a key member of theteam created to convert the well-established immunoassays of NID intofully-automated formats for the Nichols Advantage which was at that time a newand ground-breaking instrument targeted at medium-to-large throughput specialistlaboratories. In the ensuing years at NID, Dr Garrity became centrally involved in immunoassayautomation, as Manager of R&D (1999-2002) and thereafter Associate ScientificDirector, during which time she participated in, or presided over, thedevelopment of in the region of 20 automated products which were launched on theAdvantage, and filed 6 patents relating to technology development. The key technologies perfected at NID to meet demanding automation requirementswere magnetic microparticle capture and chemiluminescent (acridinium) signalchemistries. These are the same specific technologies to be employed by IDS inthe automation of its unique range of bone and skeletal biomarkers following theexclusive agreement signed with BioCode-Hycel of Liege, Belgium on 4th December2006. Dr Garrity will lead the R&D team that will now configure IDS's extensive rangeof bone & skeletal biomarker tests for the new, fully-automated BioCode-Hycel3X3 immunoassay platform. The Company will initially develop automated25-hydroxy vitamin D and PTH, adding further biomarkers such as TRAP 5b,Bone-Specific Alkaline Phosphatase, Osteocalcin and IGF-1 in the future tocreate an unparalleled offering of specialist, esoteric tests for laboratoriesof all sizes. The opportunity to join IDS brings Dr. Garrity and her family to England fromsouthern California, and they are looking forward to getting to know the Britishway of life and the unique attractions of the north-east. Dr. Garrity commented: "The creative environment at IDS, together with the ability to network with mycolleagues and collaborating companies worldwide, provides an excitingopportunity for the introduction of new technologies and new products. I'mlooking forward to the future challenges and successes we will experience". Managing Director of IDS, Dr Roger Duggan, said: "The Board gains further strength with this key appointment. We are delightedto have attracted a scientist of Martha's calibre, with such a track record andpertinent skill set to drive our push into automation. This significantlyde-risks a major undertaking at the outset. Martha is also very keen to supportour external collaborative 'Discovery Programmes', which in the fullness of timewill bring new analytes to the market." There is no further information to disclose in respect of Dr Garrity underparagraph (f) of schedule 2 to the AIM rules. ENDS Enquiries: Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings PLC Parkgreen Communications LtdDr. Roger Duggan, Managing Director Paul McManusTel: 0191 519 0660 Tel: 020 7479 7933www.idsltd.com Mob: 07980 541 893 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange