Biohit Oyj - Company Announcement

BIOHIT OYJ DEVELOPS PRODUCT FOR ELIMINATION OF CARCINOGENIC ACETALDEHYDE - THE ACETIUM INNOVATION WILL BE LAUNCHED DURING SPRING 2010

BIOHIT OYJ STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 11 JANUARY 2010 AT 09:30 AM

BIOHIT OYJ DEVELOPS A PRODUCT FOR THE ELIMINATION OF CARCINOGENIC ACETALDEHYDE 
- THE ACETIUM INNOVATION WILL BE LAUNCHED DURING THE SPRING OF 2010

Biohit Oyj, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Helsinki
and scientific advisers, has developed an over-the-counter Acetium capsule to
help to prevent the exposure of the gastrointestinal tract to carcinogenic
acetaldehyde. 
A contract has been signed for the manufacture of Acetium capsules. The company
will present this novelty product at the Finnish Medical Convention and
Exhibition on 11-14 January 2010. 

Biohit aims to supply Finnish pharmacies with this over-the-counter product
during the first half of 2010. The intention for the international marketing of
Acetium is assumed to begin during 2011 at the latest. 

Biohit expects the new product to have a positive effect on the development of
its diagnostics unit's net sales and operating profit in 2010. 

Acetaldehyde is an established risk factor for oesophageal and gastric cancer

In recent years, Biohit Oyj, in collaboration with its scientific advisers, has
developed an array of innovative methods, which significantly help to reduce
the exposure of the gastrointestinal tract (the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus and
low-acid or acid-free stomach) to cancer-causing (carcinogenic) acetaldehyde.
An acid-free stomach is the primary risk factor for gastric cancer, and
according to recent research, it also increases the risk for oesophageal
cancer. 

In October 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO/IARC)
classified acetaldehyde generated or ingested along with alcoholic beverages as
a Group I human carcinogen (www.thelancet.com/oncology Vol 10 November 2009 and
www.thl.fi: “Alkoholi muuttuu elimistössä syöpää aiheuttavaksi aineeksi”
(“Alcohol is transformed into a carcinogen in the human body”), October 20,
2009). 

The microbes in the gastrointestinal tract generate acetaldehyde from alcohol
and sugar locally in the mouth and in an acid-free stomach. Additionally, many
nutrients and alcoholic beverages themselves contain mutagenic concentrations
of acetaldehyde. 

Several target groups benefit from the Acetium innovation

The Acetium capsule is taken with a meal. The grainy L-cysteine in the capsule
spreads slowly and evenly in the stomach. Thus, the L-cysteine effectively
binds on to the acetaldehyde molecule and renders it inactive. 

The primary target group for Acetium is persons suffering from gastric mucosal
injury and a functional disorder (atrophic gastritis) and the resulting
acid-free stomach caused by Helicobacter pylori infection or an autoimmune
disease. In Finland, the number of estimated sufferers reaches nearly 100,000.
Atrophic gastritis is more common in Eastern Europe and Asia than in western
countries. Globally, the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection extends to
over 50 per cent of the population. An acid-free stomach, caused by atrophic
gastritis, can be safely and cost-effectively diagnosed from blood samples
using Biohit's patient-friendly GastroPanel and GastroView examinations (see
FURTHER DETAILS). Globally, it is estimated that almost 500 million people
suffer from atrophic gastritis. 

The second target group for Acetium comprises persons who use medications
reducing gastric acid secretion (Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) drugs or
H2-blockers). These drugs are used to reduce the acidity of the stomach and the
related complications e.g. people suffering from gastroesophageal reflux
disease. In Finland, PPI users alone account for approximately 460,000 people.
In industrialised countries, the target group is thought to include 5-10 per
cent of the adult population. 

Biohit Oyj
Osmo Suovaniemi
President & CEO

Contact details:
Osmo Suovaniemi, M.D., Ph.D., Professor
President & CEO
Tel: +358-9-773 861
Email: osmo.suovaniemi@biohit.com


FURTHER DETAILS

Acetium innovation is a fundamental step towards fulfilling Biohit Oyj's
strategy 

For many years, Biohit Oyj's long-term strategy has been the development of
diagnostic and preventive means for the early diagnosis of diseases affecting
the digestive tract. Both Helicobacter pylori infection and acid-free stomach
(atrophic gastritis) cause either mild symptoms or are symptom-free. 

With the help of the GastroPanel and GastroView innovations, it is possible to
distinguish a healthy stomach from a sick one by using a simple blood sample,
which is the most patient-friendly way for early diagnosis. The GastroSoft
report of these examinations enables both the basic healthcare personnel and
the patient himself to interpret the results quickly, in an easily
comprehensible fashion. 
The report provides more comprehensive and reliable information on a healthy
stomach or Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis and related
risks than earlier methods. In addition, information is provided on the
possibility of gastric acid hypersecretion. With regards to Acetium the tests
give a reliable diagnosis of acid-free stomach, which is the main risk factor
for stomach cancer. 
The novel Acetium innovation provides so far the only scientifically confirmed
means for the reduction of the key risk factor for gastric cancer,
acetaldehyde. Therefore, the earliest possible, most reliable and
patient-friendly method for the detection of an acid-free stomach, has become
much more important than ever before. 

Diseases related to atrophic gastritis

Atrophic gastritis (acid-free stomach) affecting the corpus part of the stomach
and caused either by a Helicobacter pylori infection or autoimmune disease, is
the key factor in the development of gastric cancer. Furthermore, anacidic
stomach is according to the latest research also a significant risk factor for
oesophageal cancer. 

In addition, an acid-free stomach associates with the risk of malabsorption and
disturbed metabolism of some drugs, vitamin B12, zinc, iron and calcium. The
resulting vitamin B12 deficiency can cause dementia, depression and peripheral
nervous system injury. Systemic calcium deficiency, along with vitamin B12
deficiency, is becoming a national disease among the ageing population, causing
osteoporosis and subsequent bone fractures. Atrophic gastritis originating in
the antrum part of the stomach is the most significant risk factor for gastric
cancer as well as for peptic ulcer disease. 

Prior to the GastroPanel innovation, information about a healthy stomach and
atrophic gastritis has been obtained only through gastroscopy and the
histological examination of biopsy samples. The 13C urea breath test (UBT), the
stool antigen test and the antibody tests used in the diagnostics of dyspepsia
and Helicobacter pylori infection do not diagnose atrophic gastritis and thus
give no information about the related risks such as gastric and oesophageal
cancer. The two first mentioned tests, which are most widely used, may give
40-50 per cent wrong negative results (i.e., they do not detect Helicobacter
pylori infection), if the patient has atrophic gastritis, MALT lymphoma or
bleeding peptic ulcer disease, or it the patient is being treated with
PPI-drugs or antibiotics. 

FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT BIOHIT

Established in 1988, Biohit Oyj is a Finnish biotechnology company quoted on
the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki since 1999. It applies a determined and persistent
innovation and patenting strategy in its operations
(www.biohit.com/Company/History, www.biohit.com/Diagnostics/Literature and
brochures and www.google.com / search “Aggressive innovation and petenting
stratrgy in Finland”) 

In cooperation with scientific communities, Biohit produces new technology,
products and services based on research results and innovations for the
development of safe and cost-effective liquid handling in laboratories as well
as the early diagnosis and prevention of gastrointestinal tract diseases 

Biohit is divided into liquid handling and diagnostics business units. Liquid
handling products include electronic and mechanical pipettes and dispensers,
and disposable tips, as well as pipette maintenance and calibration services
for use by research institutions, healthcare and industrial laboratories. The
diagnostics business comprises products and analysis systems for the early
detection of gastrointestinal diseases, such as the blood-sample based
GastroPanel and GastroView, for diagnosing diseases of the stomach and
associated risks, quick tests for the diagnosis of lactose intolerance,
Helicobacter pylori infection and ColonView for the early detection of faecal
occult blood. The Acetium capsule, developed to eliminate carcinogenic
acetaldehyde in the gastrointestinal tract, is part of the strategic R&D work
of the diagnostics business unit, whose main objective is the prevention of
gastrointestinal diseases. 

Biohit Group employs a staff of approximately 370 in 9 countries. The company
is headquartered in Finland and has subsidiaries in France, Germany, the UK,
Russia, India, China, Japan and the USA. Biohit's products are sold by
approximately 450 distributors in 70 countries. 

Biohit's share (BIOBV) is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Small
cap/Healthcare. Read more at www.biohit.com 

Distribution: 
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Oy
Central storage facility (www.oam.fi)
Press 
www.biohit.com