Biohit and Gulf Drug to sign a distributor agreement

Biohit Oyj Press Release 23.3.2015 at 9:30 am. local time (EET)

Biohit Oyj and Gulf Drug LCC have signed a distributor agreement regarding the diagnostic tests of Biohit. The agreement is in force immediately, and Gulf Drug gains exclusive rights for the distribution of these tests in the United Arab Emirates. The agreement covers the following Biohit tests: GastroPanel®, Helicobacter Pylori UFT300 Quick Test, Biohit Active B12 vitamin test, ColonView Quick Test, Lactose Intolerance Quick Test and Celiac Disease Quick Test.

GastroPanel is a non-invasive test for stomach health. The test accurately detects H. pylori infection and atrophic gastritis, caused by H pylori infection or autoimmune disease. This helps detecting the subjects at increased risk for gastric and esophageal cancer, peptic ulcer disease or vitamin B12-, calcium- and iron malabsorption.(attachment: additional information).

Helicobacter Pylori UFT300 Quick Test is a quick test for the detection of H. pylori from a gastric mucosal biopsy. This quick test has excellent sensitivity and specificity, which together with its speed make   it a highly accurate tool for H. pylori diagnostics.

Biohit Active B12 vitamin test measures the level of biologically active B12 vitamin from a blood sample. Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur in seemingly healthy people, and the risk increases with age. The test does not measure the level of total B12, but the level of active form of vitamin B12, holotranscobalamin, which represents the form of B12 vitamin available for the cells.

ColonView Quick Test is a diagnostic test for screening of colorectal cancer. This sensitive test detects fecal occult blood derived from both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract - with improved sensitivity for even small benign lesions (polyps) and cancer precursors (adenomas).

The Lactose Intolerance Quick Test is designed for rapid diagnosis of lactose intolerance in a duodenal biopsy.

Celiac Disease Quick Test measures tissue transglutaminase (tTG) IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies in serum samples, and negative results exclude celiac disease.  The test will bring substantial savings in healthcare costs while reducing the number of unnecessary endoscopies.

CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj: ‘This agreement brings the assortment of Biohit diagnostics tests to the healthcare market in the United Arab Emirates. This agreement is the landmark of our close cooperation with Gulf Drug.’

Zeyad Al Moosa, Managing Director of Gulf Drug LLC: ‘The Biohit diagnostics tests range fits our offering very well because we put our customer and patients’ needs and requirements as our top priority and objective. The Biohit products are leaders in their respective product categories via their innovation, functionality and quality of product and support services. We are excited about this opportunity!’

Additional information:
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj
tel. +358 9 773 861
investor.relations@biohit.fi
www.biohithealthcare.com

Biohit in brief

Biohit Oyj is a globally operating Finnish biotechnology company. Biohit’s mission is “Innovating for Health” – we produce innovative products and services to promote research and early diagnosis. Biohit is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, and has subsidiaries in Italy and the UK. Biohit's Series B share (BIOBV) is quoted on Nasdaq Helsinki in the Small cap/Healthcare group. www.biohithealthcare.com

Gulf Drug in brief

Gulf Drug LLC (GD) is a leader Healthcare provider in Middle East based in UAE.GD LLC has been established in 1969.The Company has an annual turnover of 350 Million USD$ and has more than 750 employees distributed in UAE & the regional branches. Under the visionary leadership of its management, the company has grown and diversified into the main sectors of the healthcare industry, providing advanced distribution, Medical Projects and Services in the UAE and the whole Middle East. www.gulfdrug.com