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Epistem Begins Full Commercial Launch of Genedrive
Epistem Begins Full Commercial Launch of Genedrive.
About this update from Genedrive Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \nRNS Number : 4486V Epistem Holdings plc 18 April 2016 \n\n \n \n \nRNS Press Release \nFor release: 18 April 2016\n \nEpistem Begins Full Commercial Launch for Genedrive® Tuberculosis Tests in India\n \nGenedrive® Enables Early Detection of TB and Antibiotic Resistance Without Need for Central Laboratory Facilities\n \n \nEpistem Holdings Plc (LSE: EHP), the molecular diagnostics, personalised medicine and biotechnology company, announces today that alongside its Indian commercialisation partner, Xcelris Labs, the Company has begun the full commercial launch for its Genedrive® tuberculosis (TB) and antibiotic resistance test.\n \nXcelris Labs, one of India's leading genomics products and services testing companies, initially intends to target Genedrive® at the country's approximately 5,000 private clinical laboratories to provide rapid point-of-care molecular identification and antibiotic resistance/drug susceptibility testing for TB. This accepted PCR based molecular diagnostic technique has generally only been available through selected large hospital central laboratory settings. Genedrive®'s low system cost, ease of use and robustness has the potential to greatly increase the wider adoption and availablility of sophisticated molecular diagnostic analysis and consequently patients' access to testing in India.\n \nDavid Budd, CEO of Epistem, commented \"Full commercial TB launch in India is an important next step in the commercialisation of Genedrive®. For the majority of patients who cannot access large reference hospitals and clinics, TB testing in India currently relies on conventional technologies such as microscopy and cell culture to detect infection and determine the most appropriate treatment. Genedrive® offers the ability to detect infection and antibiotic resistance in hours rather than days with important implications for more immediate and effective treatment, and the prevention of spread of infection. The target pricing of Genedrive® and TB test cartridges makes our product an attractive commercial and clinical alternative to traditional diagnostic techniques.\"\n \nMilina Bose, Executive Director and Vice President of Xcelris said \"There are more than 30 million smear microscopy tests conducted in India a year with many carried out in smaller and ...