Bergen, 27 April 2006: NorDiag ASA has received notice that two clinical abstracts have been accepted for presentation on the 8th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer in Barcelona in late June 2006. This congress is the largest of its kind, and NorDiag looks forward to demonstrate its pioneering work in the field of colorectal cancer diagnostics.

-We wish to demonstrate how our GenefecTM DNA-based test improves the chances of detecting colorectal cancer at the early and curable stages of this disease. This is an opportunity to show our research to the top professionals and opinion leaders in this field, says CEO Christian Horn.

The first of the abstracts describes a study performed in collaboration with Norwegian gastroenterologists. This study material consisted of cancer biopsies and faecal samples from colorectal cancer patients as well as healthy patients. The purpose of the study was two-fold. By comparing results from DNA analysis and microscopic cell studies of the tumour biopsy samples, NorDiag evaluated the optimal combination of genetic marker mutations for colorectal cancer detection. Secondly, in a sub-set of the material, we compared our ability to identify gene mutations in faecal samples from patients to our ability to identify gene mutations in tumour biopsy samples from the same patient group. This gives an estimate of the analytical sensitivity of faecal samples versus biopsies.

The second of the abstracts describes the use of the first generation Genefec™ analysis, which was offered to general practitioners in Norway until April 2004, when it was replaced with an enhanced next generation product. The first generation analysis only detected mutations in the K-ras gene, whereas the second generation also detects mutations in the p53 gene. Findings in this study will thus only partially reflect performance of the current product. The first generation Genefec™ assay was used to detect gene mutations associated with colorectal cancer in more than 3500 faecal samples from patients selected by general practitioners. This data was collected in over a two-year period, and presented in this study. Retrospective clinical data on patients whose samples were Genefec™ positive was reviewed. A feature of the study was the high specificity (> 99%) of faecal DNA testing for colorectal cancer.

For further information, please contact: CEO Christian Horn, NorDiag ASA, +47 90 16 31 53

About NorDiag
NorDiag is a biotechnology company aiming to reduce mortality and treatment costs through detection of common cancers at the early, curable phases of cancer development. Early cancer detection brings the dual benefits of better patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Currently NorDiag focuses on colorectal cancer through their product Genefec™, a DNA based test available and reimbursed as a clinical diagnostic test in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. NorDiag has substantial know how in the field of genetics and the extraction of human DNA from faeces. The Company’s operations are subject to patent protection, both through own applications and in-licensed rights to applicable patents. NorDiag has its offices in Bergen, Norway, and London, UK. For more information, please consult the Company’s web pages at www.nordiag.no.