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Biohit and Luminex join forces to provide a breakthrough in

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BIOHIT OYJ        STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE              27 SEP 2005


Biohit and Luminex join forces to provide a breakthrough in
diagnostics

Biohit Plc. (HEX: BIOBV) and Luminex Corporation (NASDAQ: LMNX), a
US-based company on the global markets, have signed an agreement
to combine their knowledge for the development and
commercialisation of a diagnostic test system in a new market
segment. Under the terms of the agreement, Biohit will supply
diagnostic test kits to users of the Luminex 100 System. In
addition, Biohit has the opportunity to market, world-wide, the
complete analysis system, comprising the Luminex 100 analyzer or
Biohit’s vertical photometry analyzer in association with
pipettors, diagnostics test kits and software (e.g., GastroSoft).

Through this cooperation both companies will be able to expand
their respective diagnostics businesses. The Luminex 100
compatible GastroPanel, a unique assay, provides first-line
diagnosis of dyspepsia, Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic
gastritis with related risks (gastric cancer, vitamin B12
deficiency, and peptic ulcer) as well as the risk of esophageal
reflux disease. These are national diseases all over the world.
With the Luminex 100 compatible GastroPanel, Biohit can
significantly further the introduction of this patient-friendly
test on international markets. Through the collaboration with
Luminex Biohit will get access to the distributors of Luminex and
more than 3,500 users of the Luminex system world-wide.

Luminex 100 is a compact analyzer that performs up to 100
bioassays simultaneously from a small sample of patient blood. The
xMAP technology by Luminex enables Biohit to enlarge the user base
of its diagnostic tests, which are currently based on globally
used microplate and vertical photometry technology (www.biohit.com
-> Company / History). Both the Luminex and Biohit technologies
are combined with the same proven immunoassay method and
microplate platform.

GastroPanel now comprises four microplate tests: Gastrin-17;
Pepsinogen I & II; and Helicobacter pylori antibodies. GastroPanel
can be combined into two tests or even a single test for use on
the Luminex system. The Luminex xMAP technology opens a new and
promising market segment for the Biohit diagnostic product range.
Moreover, in today’s research and clinical laboratories, there are
already over two hundred thousand microplate analyzers and
analyzing systems which are based on the proven vertical
photometry technology, all of which can be used with Biohit’s
GastroPanel and other microplate tests. Further information at
www.biohit.com -> Company -> History and
www.biohit.com/Diagnostics -> Literature and Diagnostics Product
Catalogue.

About Luminex Corporation

Luminex Corporation (NASDAQ: LMNX) is a publicly traded US-based
company that develops, manufactures and markets proprietary
biological testing technologies with applications throughout the
life sciences industry. The company's xMAP system (Luminex 100
analyzer) is an open-architecture, multi-analyte technology
platform that delivers fast, accurate and cost-effective bioassay
results to markets as diverse as pharmaceutical drug discovery,
clinical diagnostics and biomedical research, including the
genomic and proteomic research markets. The Company's xMAP
technology is sold worldwide and is already in use in leading
research laboratories as well as major pharmaceutical, diagnostic
and biotechnology companies. Further information on Luminex
Corporation and xMAP can be obtained on the Internet at
www.luminexcorp.com.

About Biohit

Biohit (HEX: BIOBV) develops, manufactures and markets liquid
handling products (pipettors and accessories) and related
services, as well as diagnostic test systems for use in research,
health care and industrial laboratories.

In the diagnostics business, Biohit focuses on products for the
screening, prevention, and diagnosis of diseases of the
gastrointestinal tract. The company’s diagnostic product range
includes the GastroPanel examination performed on a blood sample
(biomarkers: Pepsinogen-I, Pepsinogen-II, Gastrin-17, and
Helicobacter pylori antibodies), e.g. for the diagnosis of upper
abdominal complaints (dyspepsia), as well as biopsy specimen
‘quick tests’ for the diagnosis of lactose intolerance and
Helicobacter pylori infection. The company’s diagnostic tests are
combined with pipettors, and vertical photometry based microplate
analyzers and related software, providing comprehensive analysis
systems for use in research and clinical laboratories. Further
information at www.biohit.com.

Biohit Oyj
Osmo Suovaniemi
President & CEO

Further information:   Osmo Suovaniemi, M.D., Ph.D.,
                       Professor
                       President & CEO
                       Tel: +358-9-773 861
                       Mobile: +358-40-745 5605
                       Email: osmo.suovaniemi@biohit.com
                       
                       http://www.biohit.com
                       
Distribution:          Helsinki Exchanges
                       Financial Supervisory Authority
                       Press

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