26 September 2013
Avacta Group plc
("Avacta")
Launch of the Sensipod in-clinic blood testing system for vets
First point of care test to provide a canine environmental allergy pre-screen
Avacta Group plc (AIM: AVCT), a provider of diagnostic tools, consumables and reagents used in human and animal healthcare, announces that it has launched its in-clinic blood analysis system, Sensipod, to veterinary practices in the UK along with the first point of care test to screen dogs for environmental allergies.
Sensipod is an in-clinic diagnostic system designed to detect a wide range of markers of disease by rapidly carrying out an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test - the gold standard for diagnostic tests - on a small sample of blood. The system is being launched in the UK with its first test, a canine environmental allergy pre-screen that assists the veterinarian in identifying allergies in dogs. Avacta is currently developing a large panel of additional tests for Sensipod covering common diseases in dogs, cats and horses, as well as other novel tests, which will provide a unique bench-top diagnostic capability for the veterinarian.
At the heart of the Sensipod system is an innovative single use cartridge, pre-loaded with test specific reagents, and the Sensipod bench-top instrument. The single use cartridge is capable of carrying out all of the steps of an ELISA test without any additional user interaction and provides a sensitive measure of disease biomarkers. When the full panel of tests is complete the Sensipod will equip vets with a state-of-the-art device that will provide a quick and easy diagnosis of some of the most common companion animal diseases.
The Sensipod in-clinic system complements Avacta's established reference laboratory diagnostic services which it provides to veterinarians in the UK, and its diagnostic test kits which it provides to third party reference laboratories globally. The programme of expansion of the Sensipod test menu will also generate new laboratory tests and diagnostic kits to expand the existing offering in these routes to market.
Alastair Smith, Chief Executive of Avacta Group said:
"I am absolutely delighted that Sensipod has now launched and is in the hands of veterinarians. A huge amount of hard work and innovation has delivered a product that we believe has massive potential in the veterinary market. Growth of the test menu is key to realising that potential. We are making good progress in that area and anticipate reporting the launch of a number of new tests during this financial year. Our initial focus for commercialisation of Sensipod is the UK and we have plans to address other geographical markets as the test menu grows.
"New reference laboratory tests and diagnostic kits will be added to our wider diagnostics portfolio as a by-product of the Sensipod test menu development programme allowing us to add to the core Animal Health offering beyond allergy which is an additional growth driver for the business.
"I look forward to updating the market on Sensipod's commercial progress and the test menu expansion over the coming months."
Enquiries:
Avacta Group plc Alastair Smith, Chief Executive Officer Tim Sykes, Chief Financial Officer |
Tel: +44 (0) 844 414 0452 www.avacta.com |
Numis Securities Limited Michael Meade / Freddie Barnfield (NOMAD) James Black (Corporate Broking) |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7260 1000 |
Walbrook PR Ltd Paul McManus Lianne Cawthorne |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7933 8780 or [email protected] Mob: +44 (0)7890 541 893 Mob: +44 (0)7584 391 303 |
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's products address one of the most significant global challenges facing mankind today - the rapidly rising cost of healthcare for a growing and ageing population.
The cost of healthcare is driven by many factors. New drugs are expensive to develop, most don't reach the patient and those that do are often very costly to prescribe. Inadequate, incorrect or slow diagnosis causes delays that lead to longer or less effective courses of treatment resulting in lengthy or repeated hospitalisation.
Avacta is dedicated to developing and providing innovative and practical tools to help drug developers get their products to market quicker and more reliably, and to providing clinicians with rapid and powerful diagnostics to improve patient treatment, helping to reduce the cost of healthcare worldwide.
Avacta joined AIM in August 2006 and is based in Wetherby, England.
