European patent grant

16 Apr 2007 10:36

Omega Diagnostics Group PLC18 April 2007 For release Omega Diagnostics Group PLC European patent grant Omega Diagnostics Group PLC, the medical diagnostics company, announces thatfurther to the announcement made on 6 November 2006, it has also been granted aEuropean Patent (1053248) in respect of the branched peptide specific sequencefor Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2). This peptide forms the base of the company'snew test for detecting HSV-2 infections which is currently completing itsdevelopment phase. This patent grant is in addition to the US Patent (5,965,357) which has alreadybeen granted in respect of the specific peptide sequence and means that the twomarkets crucial to the marketing of this product now have full IP coverage. HSV is a chronic disease that infects over 1 billion people worldwide. It isalso estimated that there are over 60 million adults in the US infected withHSV-2 and because HSV-2 is difficult to diagnose, the need for more accuratediagnosis is acute. Ends Enquiries: Omega Diagnostics Group PLC Parkgreen Communications LtdTel: 01259 763030 Paul McManus Andrew Shepherd, Chief Executive Tel: 020 7479 7933Kieron Harbinson, Finance Director Mob: 07980 541 893www.omegadiagnostics.com paul.mcmanus@parkgreenmedia.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange