IDH.L Regulatory News (IDH)

25 Feb 2008 07:01

Immunodiagnostic Systems Hldgs PLC25 February 2008 Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings PLC ("IDS" or the "Company") Major collaboration agreement signed Collaboration to develop tests in the field of Growth disorders & Hypertension IDS, a leading producer of diagnostic testing kits, announces a collaborationwith Dr. Martin Bidlingmaier to develop 5 major products for the new IDS 3x3(R)automated analyser. Dr. Bidlingmaier, a world leader in Growth metabolism, is a member of theEndocrine Society and Growth Hormone Research Society and is also chair of theworking group on growth hormone of the International Federation of ClinicalChemistry (IFCC). Together with Prof. Christian Strasburger and Dr. Zida Wu, Dr Bidlingmaier hassuccessfully developed tests to detect the abuse of growth hormone (HGH) inathletes which by decision of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was appliedduring the previous Olympic games in Athens and Torino. Dr. Bidlingmaier will employ his skills to automate and commercialise existingunique manual world leading diagnostic assays in the fields of Growth andHypertension within 1 year, to complete disease panels for the IDS automated 3x3(R) laboratory analyser. The new assays in Growth disorders include; HumanGrowth Hormone (HGH); Insulin Growth Factor (IGF-1); Insulin Growth FactorBinding Protein (IGFBP-3) and in Hypertension; Renin and Aldosterone. We believethe world market for these 5 products to be €50 million. We expect to launch all 5 assays on the IDS 3x3(R) automated analyser in 2009. A panel of diagnostic tests in the clinical field of Growth will be ofparticular use to the Clinical and Pharmaceutical markets. New indications andnew therapies for Growth disorders and the approval of several new drugs haverevitalised the diagnostic market for the panel of growth assays, HGH, IGF-I andIGFBP-3. These assays aid in the assessment of the right diagnosis and ensurecorrect dosing for individuals with Growth related disorders. The additional tests that Dr Bidlingmaier will develop (Renin and Aldosterone)have clinical use for the detection and monitoring of patients withHypertension. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) or therenin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is a hormone system that helpsregulate long-term blood pressure and the need to monitor this system is ofprime importance. Many patients with Hypertension are prescribed drugs calledhypertensive's and need to be monitored continuously with tests for Renin andAldosterone. The market for hypertensive's - led by the angiotensin II antagonists - is oneof the largest and most profitable in the global pharmaceutical market, withtotal anti-hypertensive sales of $36600m in 2006. Hypertension, or high bloodpressure, is a worldwide epidemic with a prediction that worldwide there will bemore than 1.5 billion sufferers of this disease by 2025. Dr Bidlingmaier said: "With the development of these new assays we are focusing on improving thespecificity and accuracy of the diagnostic testing. This will give thediagnostic laboratories and pharmaceutical companies new applications and morereliable tools for monitoring patients under treatment." Tony Wilks, Sales & Marketing Director at IDS, commented: "Dr Bidlingmaiers reputation and academic knowledge are immensely valuable toIDS' future strategy of automation, especially in the expanding and highlylucrative markets of Growth Disorders and Hypertension. We believe hisreputation with key researchers worldwide, especially within the clinicalpharmaceutical industry and academia, will further enhance our internationalprofile and positively impact sales." Enquiries: Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings plc Parkgreen Communications LtdPaul Hailes, Finance Director Ben KnowlesTel: 0191 519 0660 Tel: 020 7479 7933www.idsltd.com Mob: 07900 346 978 ben.knowles@parkgreenmedia.com Oriel Securities LimitedGareth PriceTel: 020 7710 7600 Additional information: Dr. Bidlingmaier is Head of the Endocrine Research Laboratories at theMedizinische Klinik - Innenstadt (Medical Department), Klinikum derUniversitat, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany. He graduated frommedical School in 1993, received training in internal medicine at the Red-CrossHospital, Munich, in basic sciences and clinical chemistry at the Neuroendocrineand Clinical Laboratories at the Medizinische Klinik - Innenstadt, and inmicrobiology at the Max-von-Pettenkofer Institute, Ludwig-MaximiliansUniversity, Munich, Germany. He received his medical education with a main focus on Endocrinology underProfessor Christian Strasburger, one of the leading opinion leaders in the fieldof Growth Research. His main clinical and research interest is pathophysiologyand biochemistry of pituitary and adrenal diseases. His Endocrine ResearchLaboratory serves many multi-central clinical studies for the pharmaceuticalindustry. Dr. Bidlingmaier has eminent experience in the development of specificantibodies for immunoassays and the development of immunoassays in the field ofgrowth and hypertension. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange