INTERIM REPORT OF BIOHIT 1.1.-30.9.2001
BIOHIT PLC. STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 7.11.2001 AT 10:00
INTERIM REPORT OF BIOHIT 1.1.-30.9.2001
The result of the Biohit Group was positive contrary to the previous
year and totalled MEUR 0.1 (MEUR 0.5 loss 1-9/2000). The Group net
sales totalled MEUR 18.7. Biohit continued investing strongly in
research and development, and international marketing. As a result,
the average number of personnel increased by 36% compared with the
previous year. The net cash flow from operating activities was MEUR
1.5 positive.
Net Sales
The net sales of the Biohit Group for the reporting period totalled
MEUR 18.7 (MEUR 16.8), i.e., demonstrating an 11% growth. The net
sales were generated primarily by the sales of liquid handling
products, their disposable tips as well as maintenance services.
Profit
The profit before amortization on goodwill was MEUR 1.3 (MEUR 0.5).
The operating profit was MEUR 0.5 (MEUR 0.2 loss), and the profit for
the period MEUR 0.1 (MEUR 0.5 loss). The income taxes of MEUR 0.3 have
been accounted for on the basis of the profit for the period. The
profitability of the liquid handling business has remained good. This,
on its part, has rendered possible the investments in the development
of the diagnostics business.
Balance Sheet
The business operations of Locus genex Oy, the subsidiary company
specializing in diagnostic products, were transferred to Biohit Plc.
on May 1, 2001. It has been calculated that the dissolution has a
positive corporate tax impact of MEUR 0.7 on the Group, which is
deferred in the consolidated financial statements over the remaining
amortization period of 5 years of the goodwill relating to Locus
genex. With regard to the dissolution of Locus genex Oy, the balance
sheet of September 30, 2001 includes a tax liability of MEUR 1.2 under
short-term liabilities and a deferred tax receivable of MEUR 1.2 under
receivables.
Liquidity
The liquidity of the Biohit Group is good. The net cash flow provided
by operating activities during the reporting period was approx. MEUR
1.5 positive. The Group's liquid assets totalled MEUR 2.6 at the end
of the period. The equity ratio was 66.7% at the end of the reporting
period.
Investments
The gross investments of the reporting period totalled MEUR 1.5 (MEUR
5.4). The clean room unit enabling the mass production of diagnostic
tests together with related equipment as well as machinery and
equipment intended for increasing other production capacity
constituted the major part of the investments.
Personnel
The average number of personnel totalled 285 during the reporting
period (209 during the corresponding period in 2000), of which 174
were employed by the parent company (141 in 2000) and 111 by the
subsidiaries (68 in 2000). The increase in personnel resulted from
investments made in 2000 in research & development, production,
acquisitions in the U.S. and Russia as well as personnel increases in
subsidiaries.
The purpose of these measures is to reinforce the sales and servicing
of Biohit's current products as well as to prepare to commence the
sales of diagnostic tests, instruments and complete analyzing systems.
Main Events of the Reporting Period
Liquid Handling
In the area of liquid handling Biohit launched the new electronic
eLINE -pipettor range. The first models were introduced in February
after which the launch has continued in Europe, the U.S., Japan and
elsewhere in Asia.
In the area of liquid handling Biohit was awarded three Japanese
patents (JP 3168296, JP 3215859 and JP 3215860) and three Finnish
patents (FI 107025, FI 107026 and FI 107027) during the reporting
period.
Diagnostics
In the area of diagnostics the evaluations of the test panel for
determining Helicobacter pylori -infection and atrophic gastritis as
well as for screening the risk of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer from
blood samples continued (see the enclosure on Biohit's diagnostic
products). During the last quartal of the reporting period the
multicenter study covering the cities of Helsinki, Seinäjoki, Tampere
and Vantaa continued in Finland. The study began in 2001. The samples
of altogether 204 patients were analyzed during the first phase of the
study. The results were similar to those of the evaluation carried out
at the Jorvi hospital in Finland in 2000 (see the Stock Exchange
Release of Biohit, Oct. 3, 2000).
During the reporting period evaluations were in progress in Germany,
the U.K. and Ireland. One evaluation was completed during the
reporting period in Italy with good results. On the basis of the
results the evaluation will be extended to a multicenter study in
Italy. Individual evaluations were carried out in France and Iraq.
Arrangements for commencing evaluations in Japan, the U.S., China,
Russia and the Philippines were initiated.
During the reporting period the marketing of the said test panel began
for research use worldwide. In Canada authorities issued product
licenses for the Pepsinogen I, Gastrin-17 and Helicobacter pylori
-test kits (GastroPanel). This enables Biohit to commence the
marketing and sales of the GastroPanel also for clinical use in
Canada. On the basis of this Biohit concluded distribution agreements
for the diagnostic products with two co-operation partners in Canada.
During the reporting period United Clinical Laboratories commenced the
marketing of the test panel for its clientele in Finland.
In the U.K. Immunology Quality Services evaluated with favourable
results Biohit's anti-dsDNA ELISA -test kit for the diagnosis of
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The evaluation demonstrated that
the sensitivity, specificity and precision of the test were good.
The European Commission granted Biohit an approx. MEUR 0.2 support for
the development of monoclonal antibodies and test kits for
phytoestrogens. The development work commenced in May 2001 and it will
last until April 2004. The work is part of a Europe-wide project, the
purpose of which is to study the role of dietary phytoestrogens in the
prevention of certain types of cancer.
During the reporting period the new production premises for
manufacturing diagnostic products were finished at the Helsinki
office. The premises enable to enter from the pilot production of
diagnostic tests to their mass production.
In order to enhance the evaluation and adoption of its diagnostic test
systems Biohit commenced to offer laboratory services targeted to
researchers and health care. The State Provincial Office of Southern
Finland, Department for Social and Health Affairs granted a permission
for the service laboratory on May 8, 2001. The service laboratory
collects patient samples, e.g., from health care centers, occupational
health service centers, other medical centers as well as regional and
central hospitals. The laboratory analyses conducted aim to support
basic research and promote correct diagnoses and related treatment
(see the enclosure).
Finally, the ISO 9001 -quality system certification of Biohit Plc. was
extended to cover also the area of diagnostics as a result of the
audit conducted by Det Norske Veritas.
Equity Turnover and Price Development
The equity turnover of Biohit's B-shares on the NM-list of the
Helsinki Exchanges totalled EUR 3,594,974 and the number of shares
traded 604,243 pieces during the reporting period. The highest price
was EUR 7.20 and the lowest EUR 3.01. The average price was EUR 5.95.
Prospects for 2001
The net sales of the Biohit Group for 2001 are anticipated to
demonstrate a growth of approx. 15% compared with the previous year.
The result for 2001 is forecast to be positive although considerable
investments are made in the marketing of the diagnostic product range.
It is estimated that diagnostics will begin to generate significant
sales only during 2002. The major part of the net sales for 2001
continues to be generated by the sales of liquid handling products and
maintenance services.
The launch of new liquid handling products has proceeded as expected.
It is estimated that the sales of the said products and analyzing
systems composed of liquid handling products, diagnostics and
instruments will provide a stable basis for the growth of the net
sales and profit in the future. The growth is expected to be enhanced
on its part by the fact that also the diagnostic products meet the
quality requirements set by authorities, e.g., in the EU area with
regard to the CE-marking. Biohit's quality system was certified on
Oct. 22 to conform also with the requirements set by ISO 13845. This
enables Biohit to sell its diagnostic tests, in addition for research
use, also to clinical use in the EU-area.
Group Income Statement
1-9 1-9 1-12
2001 2000 Change Change 2000
MEUR MEUR MEUR % MEUR
Net sales 18.7 16.8 1.9 11 24.3
Operating expenses 16.6 15.3 1.3 8 22.4
Depreciation excluding
goodwill amortization 0.9 1.0 -0.1 -10 1.4
Amortization on
goodwill 0.7 0.7 0.0 5 1.0
Operating profit/loss 0.5 -0.2 0.7 357 -0.5
Financial expenses
(net) 0.1 0.0 0.1 457 0.1
Profit/loss before
extraordinary items 0.4 -0.2 0.6 268 -0.6
Extraordinary income 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0.3
Profit/loss before
taxes 0.4 -0.2 0.6 268 -0.3
Profit/loss for the
period 0.1 -0.5 0.5 113 -0.6
Group Balance Sheet
30.9.2001 30.9.2000 31.12.2000
MEUR % MEUR % MEUR %
Assets
Non-current assets 11.3 45 11.3 45 11.3 47
Current assets
Inventories 4.2 17 3.7 15 3.8 15
Receivables 7.0 28 6.7 27 6.5 26
Cash and cash
equivalents 2.6 10 3.3 13 3.0 12
Total assets 25.1 100 25.0 100 24.6 100
Liabilities and
shareholders'
equity
Shareholders'
equity
Share capital 2.2 9 2.2 9 2.1 9
Share premium
fund 14.9 59 14.9 60 14.9 61
Accumulated
profits/losses -0.6 -2 -0.4 -1 -0.6 -3
Capital loans 1.2 5 1.1 4 1.1 5
Minority interest 0.1 0 0.1 0 0.1 0
Long-term
liabilities 2.3 9 2.1 8 2.8 11
Short-term
liabilities 5.0 20 5.0 20 4.2 17
Total liabilities
and shareholders'
equity 25.1 100 25.0 100 24.6 100
1-9/01 1-6/00 Change Change-% 1-12/00
Investments, gross MEUR 1.5 5.4 -3.9 -72 7.1
Employees, average 285 209 76 36 222
Pledges given, commitments and contingencies
30.9.2001 30.9.2000 31.12.2000
Loans for which pledges MEUR MEUR MEUR
have been given
Loans from financial
Institutions 2.1 3.0 2.8
Corporate mortgages 3.4 3.4 3.4
Other long-term liabilities 0.8 - 0.8
Mortgages 0.8 - 0.8
Leasing commitments 3.7 4.2 4.2
Interest on Capital Loans
The unrecorded interest accrued on capital loans on September 30, 2001
totalled to MEUR 0.4 and on Dec. 31, 2000 to MEUR 0.4.
30.9.2001 30.9.2000 31.12.2000
Ratios
Equity ratio, % 66.7 67.2 66.9
Earnings per share, EUR 0.00 -0.04 -0.06
Shareholders' equity
per share, EUR 1.30 1.32 1.30
Average number of shares 12,643,377 12,549,790 12,573,123
Number of shares at the
end of the period 12,643,377 12,643,377 12,643,377
Derivative Contracts
The Group does not have any off balance sheet financial instruments.
The figures of the Interim Report are unaudited.
Helsinki, November 7, 2001
Board of Directors of Biohit Plc.
Overview on Biohit
Biohit, operating in the areas of biotechnology and high technology,
develops, manufactures and markets liquid handling products and
accessories as well as diagnostic test systems for use in research,
health care and industrial laboratories.
In the area of liquid handling Biohit's main products are electronic
and mechanical pipettors and their disposable tips. Currently,
Biohit's range of electronic and mechanical pipettors is the widest in
the world. Biohit is also the global market leader of electronic
pipettors.
In the area of diagnostics Biohit develops, manufactures and markets
test kits based on the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) -method and monoclonal
antibodies for the screening of different types of disease. Biohit's
diagnostic product range includes, e.g., a unique test panel for
diagnosing H.pylori -infection and atrophic gastritis as well as for
screening the risk of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer from blood
samples, as well as tests for the detection of lactose intolerance and
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
In order to be able to offer complete analyzing systems for its
customer base, Biohit's product range includes, in addition to liquid
handling products and diagnostics, instruments used for the analysis
of test results. Moreover, Biohit offers as a part of its product and
marketing strategy maintenance, calibration and training services
through the Group companies and distributors.
Biohit's production plants are located in Kajaani and Helsinki. The
sales and marketing subsidiaries are located in France, Germany,
Italy, Japan, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S. Biohit's distributor
network covers altogether approx. 450 members and 70 countries.
Moreover, many multinational companies, such as Beckman Coulter,
Becton Dickinson, bioMérieux, Johnson & Johnson and 3M complement
their diagnostic systems with Biohit's electronic liquid handling
products. As to Group net sales, 96% are generated outside of Finland,
and the degree of domestic production is approx. 95%.
Biohit Plc.
Helena Hentola
Information Resources & Communications
Enclosure: Background on Biohit's Diagnostic Products
Test Panel for Determining Helicobacter pylori -Infection and Atrophic
Gastritis
Australian doctors, Barry J. Marshall and J. Robin Warren isolated the
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in 1982. This bacterium lives
protected from gastric acids on the mucous membrane of the stomach.
The H. pylori -infection is usually caught in childhood and rarely in
adulthood. The infection spreads orally (oral-oral transmission) and
via the contents of the stomach (e.g. vomiting) and possibly also via
feces. If untreated the infection lasts for a lifetime and causes an
inflammation of the stomach, i.e., gastritis. Gastritis is nearly
always caused by H. pylori -infection. In a small number of cases
gastritis may develop as a result of an autoimmune disease. Over half
of the global population are infected by H. pylori (approx. 3 billion
persons) and related gastritis. In half of the infected cases (approx.
1.5 billion) the gastritis develops over the years into atrophic
gastritis, which refers to the inflammation and atrophy of the mucous
membrane of the stomach.
The isolation of the H. pylori changed the understanding of the causes
of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer. Today it is known that H. pylori
-infection and gastritis are nearly always related with gastric cancer
and peptic ulcer. Before 1982, and even for a long time after that, it
was believed that peptic ulcer develops primarily as a result of
hypersecretion of acid, stress and anxiety.
In reality in 70-90% of the cases the primary cause of peptic ulcer is
gastritis or atrophic gastritis caused by H. pylori -infection. Other
causes are anti-inflammatory analgesics (nsaid drugs) and asperin. In
1994 a research unit operating under WHO (IARC - International Agency
for Research on Cancer) presented a consensus statement, based on
available research results, that gastric cancer is caused by H. pylori
-infection. H. pylori -infection was considered to be related with the
development of gastric cancer (carcinogenity class 1) in a similar way
as smoking is related to lung cancer. According to the consensus
statement H. pylori -infection launches a chain of events, such as the
development of atrophic gastritis, which in certain cases leads to
gastric cancer.
The risk of gastric cancer of a patient suffering from atrophic
gastritis of the corpus is 5-fold compared with normal population. If
both the corpus and antrum are severely atrophic the risk is approx.
90-fold. When only the antrum is severely atrophic the risk of gastric
cancer is approx. 20-fold. In addition, the risk of peptic ulcer is
approx. 25-fold compared with normal population. It has been estimated
that in the U.S. approx. 20 million persons suffer or develop peptic
ulcer during their lifetime. The equivalent amount in the Finnish
population can be estimated to be slightly less than 500 000. Atrophic
gastritis and the early stage of gastric cancer are usually
symptomless or show only weak symptoms. The surgical removal of an
early stage gastric cancer is usually successful. However, the
prognosis of a prolonged cancer case demonstrating symptoms is weak;
the 5-year survival rate of those surgically treated is only 10-20%.
The equivalent survival rate of patients treated early in which the
cancer is restricted to the mucosa and submucosa is approx. 90%.
Approx. 30% of the global population, i.e., nearly two billion
persons, suffer from dyspepsia, the occasional or continuous pain or
discomfort in the upper part of the stomach. The only method for
examining whether a patient suffering from dyspepsia or H. pylori
-infection suffers from atrophic gastritis has until now been the
histological (microscopic) examination of biopsies taken in connection
with gastroscopy. As this invasive examination is often uncomfortable
for the patient, expensive and its rapid availability limited, the
patient is usually treated only on the basis of anamnesis, symptoms or
clinical examination. Many cases have demonstrated the unreliability
of an examination made on the basis of symptoms, which often leads to
incorrect conclusions.
Severe consequences may result from delays in targeted treatment and
further examinations based on a correct diagnosis. Without a correct
diagnosis the treatment may be delayed and the disease may become
impossible to cure. This, at worst, may increase the risk of deaths,
decrease the quality of life, and increase human suffering and health
care costs.
Biohit's GastroPanel and GastroSoft
Biohit has developed and patented a unique test panel (Biohit
GastroPanel), which enables to determine from a blood sample whether
the patient suffers from gastritis caused by H. pylori -infection,
whether the gastritis is atrophic and in which part of the stomach the
changes are located. This is done by measuring the levels of
Pepsinogen I and Gastrin-17, and the H. pylori -antibodies from the
blood sample. The test panel enables to identify those patients whose
risk of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer have considerably increased
and, as a result, need to be directed immediately to gastroscopy and
the examination of biopsy samples (see www.biohit.com/ Sipponen,
Härkönen and Alanko. Determination of Atrophic Gastritis from Serum
Samples, Finnish Medical Journal, No. 38/2001, Vol. 56, pp. 3833-
3839).
The research carried out thus far has demonstrated that the results of
the test panel are in practice equally reliable as those received with
gastroscopy and the examination of biopsy samples. This applies to
cases when it is necessary to find out whether the mucous membrane of
the stomach is healthy or whether it is inflammated or atrophic
(atrophic gastritis). The research results support the argument that
Biohit's test panel is suitable as an initial and easy method for
examining dyspeptic patients. Nearly always a correct diagnosis is
reached whether it is a case of a healthy, normally functioning mucous
membrane of the stomach or whether it is inflammated, atrophic
(atrophic gastritis) and does not function normally.
Especially in cases of younger patients over half of the dyspeptic
symptoms are functional (functional dyspepsia). These cases can be
differentiated from organic symptoms by using Biohit's test panel. If
the test panel demonstrates that the mucous membrane of the stoamch is
healthy this means that the symptoms are most likely functional and
are not caused by peptic ulcer. The risk of gastric cancer and peptic
ulcer is very low, nearly nonexistent, if the stomach is healthy.
A multicenter study is carried out currently in Finland in which
gastroscopy and biopsy samples of altogether 204 patients suffering
from dyspepsia were examined. The results demonstrated that the mucous
membrane of 111 patients was normal, and only 20 patients suffered
from advanced atrophic gastritis. When the blood samples of these
patients were examined with Biohit's test panel, the result was the
same. The mucous membrane of the stomach of 73 patients was healthy or
its surface was mildly inflammated (gastritis). Such patients do not
have an immediate need for gastroscopy or the examination of biopsy
samples for confirming the results of the test panel if the patient
does not suffer, e.g., from reflux disease, inflammation of the
esophagus, use analgesics, have an exceptionally high cancer risk, or
if the dyspeptic patient is not over 45 years. On the basis of these
examinations it can be concluded that less than 10% of those examined,
i.e., 20 persons out of 204, would have needed, on the basis of the
results produced by the test panel, gastroscopy and examination of the
biopsy samples immediately due to gastritis and related risks and
possible diseases.
For the interpretation of the results of the test panel Biohit has
developed an easy-to-use computer program, Biohit GstroSoft (the
program can be tested at www.biohit.com). On the basis of the
laboratory results the program draws up a recommended diagnosis of
possible H. pylori -infection and atrophic gastritis. Moreover, the
program indicates the patient's risk of gastric cancer and peptic
ulcer compared with normal population. The program further gives a
recommendation based on the Maastricht 2000 -consensus whether
eradication therapy of H. pylori -infection is necessary as well as an
instruction whether gastroscopy, examination of biopsy samples and the
measurement of the levels of vitamin B12 and homocysteine are
necessary.
Vitamin B12 and Homocysteine
Atrophic gastritis of the corpus caused by H. pylori -infection or
autoimmune disease result in the malabsorption of vitamin B12. The
deficiency of vitamin B12 causes an increase of homocysteine in the
body. Homocysteine is an intermediate product of metabolism. The
increased level of homocysteine in blood and tissues signal a serious
disturbance of methionine metabolism in the cells. The deficiency of
vitamin B12 is related, e.g., with dementia, depression, damages of
the peripheral nervous system, and increases the risk of these
diseases (see www.b12.com). An increased level of homocysteine in the
body increases the risk of arteriosclerosis and heart and brain
strokes (see www.homocysteine.com).
Humans and other mammals gain the necessary vitamin B12 from
nutrition. The reason is that only micro-organisms are able to produce
the said vitamin. The absorption of vitamin B12 from the small
intestine requires a healthy, normally functioning mucous membrane of
the corpus. Those patients suffering from atrophic gastritis need
substitute treatment for vitamin B12 (e.g. an injection of vitamin B12
at three months' intervals).
The deficiency of vitamin B12 in the body is an increasing health
problem worldwide, especially concerning the elderly. Approx. 5-15% of
the elderly suffer from diseases caused by the deficiency of vitamin
B12. Available research results indicate that a significant part of
the patients suffering from the deficiency of vitamin B12 are those
whose deficiency has resulted from the malabsorption of vitamin B12
caused by atrophic gastritis. An observation, which needs to be taken
seriously, is that the damages of the brain tissue and peripheral
nervous system (dementia, depression etc.) are irreversible and
develop already years before the anemia caused by the deficiency of
vitamin B12 occurs.
Biohit's Test Panel Promotes Targeted Diagnoses and Treatment as well
as Prevention of Diseases
Biohit's GastroPanel and related GastroSoft are well suited for the
use of general practitioners and specialists for diagnosing H. pylori
-infection and atrophic gastritis as well as for screening the risk of
gastric cancer and peptic ulcer from blood samples. Although atrophic
gastritis is a serious disease it usually remains unnoticed and
"underdiagnosed". One reason is, most likely, that the only reliable
means thus far to diagnose atrophic gastritis has been the
histological (microscopic) examination of biopsy samples taken in
connection with gastroscopy. The early diagnosis and correct treatment
of atrophic gastritis prevents many of the diseases described above.
The test panel enables to determine whether the disease of a patient
suffering from dementia, depression or heart or brain stroke is
related with atrophic gastritis of the mucous membrane of the stomach.
The rapid and early diagnosis of this connection is most important.
The contributing or primary causes of the disease related with the
stomach can be eliminated, e.g., by eradication therapy of the H.
pylori -infection. When also the levels of vitamin B12 and
homocysteine are determined as a part of the test panel it is possible
to assess the risks related with diseases of the nervous system and
blood vessels. This, on its part, enables, e.g., to commence the
preventive vitamin B12 substitute treatment.
Approx. one third of the global population suffers from dyspepsia.
Over half of the cases are functional and only a small part is related
with organic diseases. The test panel is an economic and easy means to
differentiate between cases of functional dyspepsia and more severe
diseases caused by atrophic gastritis.
Since over half of the world population are infected by H. pylori, and
as half of these cases lead to atrophic gastritis, justified grounds
exist to the routine use of the test panel in a similar manner as
measuring blood pressure and cholesterol and analyzing blood count.
The H. pylori -infection is diagnosed worldwide by using serological
tests, breath tests and antigen tests of the feces. These tests enable
to diagnose only whether the patient is infected or not. Biohit's test
panel makes a major contribution to these tests. On the basis of the
results received so far only the test panel enables to diagnose
gastritis, its severity and quality nearly as well as with gastroscopy
and the examination of biopsy samples. On the otherhand, however, the
tests conducted with the panel (levels of Pepsinogen I and Gastrin-17)
enable to assess the condition and functioning of the entire mucous
membrane of the stomach. As the severity of atrophic gastritis
increases, the condition and functioning of the mucous membrane
weakens. Atrophic gastritis cannot be diagnosed on the basis of
gastroscopy but it is necessary to study the biopsy samples
histologically. It must also be noted that, on the basis of a few
biopsies, it is not possible to assess the condition and functioning
of the entire mucous membrane of the stomach.
Biohit's Service Laboratory
In August 2001 Biohit commenced to offer paid laboratory services,
which received a permission from the State Provincial Office of
Southern Finland, Department for Social and Health Affairs on May 8,
2001. The purpose of the service laboratory is to collect patient
samples, first in Finland and later in Biohit's subsidiaries, e.g.,
from health care centers, occupational health service centers, other
medical centers as well as regional and central hospitals. Biohit's
test panel will be used to determine the Pepsinogen I and II and
Gastrin-17 concentrations and H. pylori -antibodies from blood samples
(Biohit's test panel). Moreover, the concentrations of vitamin B12 and
homocysteine will be determined as well as telomere DNA antibodies for
the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In addition, the
biopsies taken in connection with gastroscopy will be used to diagnose
lactose intolerance and carry out further examinations, e.g., to
confirm the diagnosis of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer. Biohit's
service laboratory will also engage in the research and development of
diagnostic tests and the analysis of different types of patient data.
The purpose of Biohit's service laboratory is to promote the
diagnostic tests and analyzing systems and, as a result, to encourage
the users of laboratory services provided by Biohit and other paid
service laboratories to commence themselves laboratory testing with
analyzing systems purchased from Biohit. This serves as a means to
promote decentralized laboratory diagnostics, which is performed close
to the doctor and patient. This, on its part, is a prerequisite for
time and cost savings in reaching correct diagnoses and related rapid
and highly specific treatment (evidence based medicine).
Analyses for Tests Performed by Biohit's Service Laboratory
- GastroPanel:
1)Helicobacter pylori IgG (S-HepyAbG),
Pepsinogen I (S-Pepsin1), Gastrin-17
(S-Gastr17-S)
2)S-HepyAbG, S-Pepsin1, S-Pepsin2,
S-Gastr17-S
- Vitamin B12, fS-B12-vit, KL 1137
- Folat, fS-Folaat, KL 1416
- Folate from erythrocytes, fE-Folaat, KL1414
- Homocysteine, S-Hcyst, KL 1868
- Telomere-DNA IgG-antibodies, S-dsDNAAb
- Celiac panel: Gliadin IgA and IgG, Tissue transglutaminase IgA,
S-AGAAbA KL 3399, S-AGAAbG KL 3400, S-tTGAbA KL 1885
- Determination of lactase and saccharase from biopsies of the small
intestine, Ts-Laktaas, KL 2182, Ts-Sakraas, KL 2601 (1.1.2002)
- Microscopic examination of the endoscopic biopsy samples of the
gastrointestinal tract, Ts-PADGast, KL 4043
The results of the GastroPanel are analyzed with Biohit's GastroSoft-
program (www.biohit.com). The program functions and is allowed to be
used only in connection with Biohit's test panel. The program is based
on analyses made with Biohit's tests. Comments on the use and further
development of the program can be sent via the Contact us -form found
under GastroSoft at www.biohit.com. Instructions for taking samples
and delivering the samples to the service laboratory can be gained at
Biohit Plc, marianne.niemela@biohit.com, fax. +358-9-77386200 or tel:
+358-9-773 861/Marianne Niemelä.
Additional information: Osmo Suovaniemi, President & CEO, tel: +358-9-
773 861, direct: +358-9-773 86 250, mobile:
+358-40 745 5605, fax: +358-9-773 86 205.
http://www.biohit.com
Distribution: The Helsinki Exchanges
The Financial Supervisory Authority
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