OMEGA DIAGNOSTICS GROUP PLC ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF VISITECT(R) CD4 POINT-OF-CARE TEST

 Saturday, 23 June 2012 Omega Diagnostics Group PLC has announced the imminent launch of VISITECT® CD4, a ground-breaking point-of-care (POC) disposable test for the detection of CD4 T-cell levels, aimed at reaching HIV­-positive patients across the globe. VISITECT® CD4, developed by the Burnet Institute in Melbourne, Australia, is an affordable POC test that enables CD4 T-cell levels to be determined, quickly and conveniently, even in remote rural areas in resource-poor countries. This easy­-to-­use, semi­-quantitative lateral flow test uses a finger-prick blood sample and produces a straightforward visual result in just 40 minutes, enabling patients to receive life-saving antiretroviral treatment before leaving the clinic. Minimal training is required and no additional instruments are necessary, eliminating the need for sophisticated equipment, expensive reagents and highly trained personnel.Associate Professor David Anderson, Deputy Director of the Burnet Institute and leader of the team that developed the test, added: "According to UNAIDS, there are 15 million people who should be getting access to antiretroviral therapy but aren't, just because they can't get access to an affordable CD4 test in their communities. This test will provide access for even the most remote and disadvantaged patients." Andrew Shepherd, Founder and Chief Executive of Omega Diagnostics added: "This test overcomes many of the limitations commonly associated with the traditional technique of flow cytometry, offering a cost-­effective means of obtaining immediate CD4 results. Establishing when a patient should commence therapy will improve health and help to reduce transmission of the virus, benefitting the entire population."

About Omega Diagnostics Group PLCOmega Diagnostics Group PLC, based in Scotland, UK, is a public company AIM listed on the London Stock Exchange (Ticker Symbol: ODX). Formed in September 2006 when Omega Diagnostics Ltd completed a reverse acquisition of the AIM listed cash shell company, Quintessentially English PLC, the Group acquired Genesis Diagnostics Ltd and Cambridge Nutritional Sciences Ltd in September 2007, with bacterial disease diagnostic assay manufacturer Co-Tek (South West) Ltd joining the Group in September 2009. The IVD division of allergy and specific immunotherapy specialist Allergopharma Joachim Ganzer KG, a supplier of allergy tests for over 600 allergens, was acquired in December 2010 and, more recently, in 2011 the Group established a wholly owned Indian subsidiary, Omega DX (Asia) Pvt Ltd. Today, the Omega Diagnostics Group has a strong distribution network in over 100 countries, providing a wide range of high quality immunoassay-based products focused on the specialist fields of allergy/autoimmune disease, infectious disease and food intolerance to the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) market, for use in hospitals, blood banks, clinics and laboratories.

About the Burnet Institute:The Burnet Institute is an Australian, not-for-profit, unaligned and independent organisation that links medical research with public health action, recognising that solutions to many of the major global health problems require comprehensive and innovative responses. These include novel discoveries, such as the development of new vaccines and diagnostic tests, and the better use of existing best-practice health interventions.With an estimated 33 million people living with HIV and millions more affected by other infectious diseases, the Burnet Institute is playing its part in trying to improve the health of disadvantaged, poor or otherwise vulnerable communities.The CD4 test has been developed to date with funding from The National Health and Medical Research Council, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the CD4 Initiative (funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), the Burnet Institute and the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund.