Tecan and Enigma Diagnostics Sign Licence and Collaboration Agreement

MANNEDORF, Switzerland, January 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The Tecan Group (SIX Swiss Exchange: TECN), a leading global provider of laboratory instruments and solutions, and Enigma Diagnostics Limited, the decentralised and point-of-care molecular diagnostics company, announced today the signing of a licence and collaboration agreement. The licence provides Tecan with access to specific Enigma intellectual property that is used in Enigma's fully automated, molecular diagnostic system, the Enigma(R) ML.

The licence enables Tecan to further expand its growing OEM partnering business and develop a next generation molecular diagnostics platform for a potential OEM partner. The envisaged integrated solution includes enabling consumables and is targeted at central laboratories with the goal to provide a unique combination of features such as, random sample access, complete automation from raw sample to result, a small footprint and a rapid time to result.

Thomas Bachmann, CEO of Tecan, said: "We are delighted to have signed this licence agreement with Enigma for their innovative sample preparation and thermocycling technology. The licence provides us with the opportunity to approach a potential OEM partner with our concept of an integrated solution for molecular diagnostics that includes a unique instrument as well as enabling consumables. The licence agreement builds on our existing agreement with Enigma that we signed in February 2010 for the manufacturing and supply of Enigma(R)'s ML point-of-care molecular diagnostics instruments."

John McKinley, Chairman and CEO of Enigma, said: "We are very pleased to sign this significant agreement which extends an already strong partnership with Tecan. It demonstrates the capability of Enigma's sample preparation and thermocycling technology to generate a pipeline of next generation molecular diagnostic instruments covering high throughput, central laboratory to point of care settings."

Financial terms were not disclosed.

About Tecan

Tecan (http://www.tecan.com) is a leading global provider of laboratory instruments and solutions in biopharmaceuticals, forensics, and clinical diagnostics. The company specializes in the development, production and distribution of instruments and automated workflow solutions for laboratories in the life sciences sector. Its clients include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, university research departments, forensic and diagnostic laboratories. As an original equipment manufacturer, Tecan is also a leader in developing and manufacturing OEM instruments and components that are then distributed by partner companies. Founded in Switzerland in 1980, the company has manufacturing, research and development sites in both Europe and North America and maintains a sales and service network in 52 countries. In 2009, Tecan generated sales of CHF 392 million (USD 361.2 million; EUR 259.6 million). Registered shares of Tecan Group are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (TK: TECN/Reuters: TECZn.S/ ISIN CH0012100191).

    
    For further information:

    Tecan Group
    Martin Braendle
    Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
    Tel. +41-0-44-922-84-30
    Fax  +41-0-44-922-88-89
    investor@tecan.com
    http://www.tecan.com

About Enigma Diagnostics Limited

Enigma Diagnostics Limited specialises in developing next generation rapid molecular diagnostic instrument platforms for decentralized and point-of-care settings.

Enigma's innovative and proprietary technology combines the speed and sensitivity of real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) with the simplicity needed for decentralized and point-of-care testing providing results from a raw sample in less than 60 minutes. The Company is targeting a number of multi-billion pound markets, core among which are the Clinical and high-value Applied Markets. Enigma's commercialisation strategy is to maximize revenues from a continuous flow of market leading rapid diagnostic point-of- care instrument and assay platforms, based on unique technologies and underpinned by its broad Intellectual Property portfolio. Enigma will partner with market leaders where global penetration of markets is required and where appropriate, will engage regional partners and build in-house sales and marketing capability to direct distribution of its products.

    
    For further information:

    Enigma Diagnostics
    Josephine Deniau
    Communications Manager
    Tel: +971-4446-2367
    communications@enigmadiagnostics.com
    http://www.enigmadiagnostics.com