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2010-01-11 08:30:00 CET 2010-01-11 08:30:02 CET REGULATED INFORMATION Biohit Oyj - Company AnnouncementBIOHIT OYJ DEVELOPS PRODUCT FOR ELIMINATION OF CARCINOGENIC ACETALDEHYDE - THE ACETIUM INNOVATION WILL BE LAUNCHED DURING SPRING 2010BIOHIT 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 |
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