NorDiag ASA and Hain Lifescience GmbH have entered into an OEM agreement for the Arrow instrument and for sample preparation reagents to be used in connection with Hain Lifescience molecular biological assays. Hain Lifescience currently has a range of assays, among others Tuberculosis, H-pylori and C-diff. The tuberculosis assay is officially recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). The OEM contract has a minimum yearly purchase commitment with respect to instruments.

"This is a major milestone for the Company," says CEO of NorDiag Mårten Wigstøl. 

"We are delighted to sign this agreement with Hain Lifescience. We have had a cooperation over several years and we are impressed with Hain's success in the molecular diagnostic market. In particular we have great expectations to their tuberculosis assay due to its official recommendation from WHO, which expands the market opportunity substantially. Our technologies fit perfect together and we will be able to offer customers an affordable and easy to use test system. This deal is expected to cover approximately 20% of our revenue goals for the Arrow product line until end of 2011", says Mårten Wigstøl, CEO of NorDiag.
 
"The OEM contract signed with NorDiag for the "Arrow" instrument and the related reagents will bring very interesting solutions to the customer base, regarding automation of the DNA extraction around the Hain Lifescience molecular biological assays. The size, capacity and flexibility of the "Arrow" instrument will allow the customer base an implementation of a smoother workflow. This is especially interesting, as according to our opinion and experience with the "Arrow" not only laboratories in developed countries can be serviced, the ease of operation and maintenance will also allow placing it within the broad customer base in high Tuberculosis prevalence countries. First demonstration projects in South Africa are about to be launched within the next weeks", says David Hain, CEO of Hain Lifescience.

There is a strong focus in the field of molecular diagnostics for Tuberculosis, multi drug resistant Tuberculosis (MDRTB) and extended drug resistant Tuberculosis within Hain Lifescience GmbH. The World Health Organization (WHO) has an official recommendation for implementing the GenoType MTBDRplus assay of Hain Lifescience GmbH for the simultaneous detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its resistance against the major first line drugs in the treatment of Tuberculosis. By this recommendation and the parallel availability of a broad range of widely useable diagnostic assays, DNA extraction and/or purification become more and more important.
 
Contact:
CEO Mårten Wigstøl, Phone: +47 91165775

About NorDiag:
NorDiag is a biotechnology company developing, manufacturing and marketing automated solutions (instruments and reagents) for sample preparation of DNA from difficult biological samples. DNA diagnostics give more rapid and precise answers, and is the fastest growing field within diagnostics. The company's sample preparation solutions are today used in connection with STI, tuberculosis, MRSA, respiratory pathogens and viruses on instruments for large and small laboratories. NorDiag was founded in 2003 and has its headquarters in Oslo, Norway. The company has offices and laboratories in Stockholm, Sweden, in West Chester (PA), USA and in Vienna, Austria. The group has today 40.1 man-labour years. NorDiag is listed on Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker NORD.
For further information - www.nordiag.com.
 
About Hain Lifescience GmbH:
Hain Lifescience GmbH is a private corporation with its headquarters based in Nehren, Germany, subsidiaries in Spain, South Africa, Kenya and operating through an excellent network of distributors in more than 40 countries throughout the world. Hain Lifescience GmbH is focusing on molecular diagnostics in the field of medical microbiology and human genetics. Within the business year of 2009 the Hain Group achieved a total turnover of € 18.1 Mio. in its business with molecular diagnostics and laboratory services.
For further information - www.hain-lifescience.de

Read the notice ine Norwegian here.