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Bayer HealthCare, Diagnostics Division, a member of the Bayer Group (NYSE:BAY) and Innogenetics N.V. announced today that the VERSANTŪ HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) Genotype 2.0 Assay (LiPA) has been released for sale in Europe. This next generation hepatitis C assay is an upgrade of Bayer's VERSANT HCV Genotype 1.0 Assay (LiPA), which is considered to be the most widely used assay for HCV Genotyping. In addition to its ability to accurately classify all major HCV genotypes (genotypes 1 to 6), the assay now also provides accurate identification of genotypes 6c-l (formerly known as genotypes 7, 8 and 9) and improves the identification of genotype 1a and 1b. These additions will permit improved therapy management of hepatitis C-infected patients. It is now widely accepted by clinicians that HCV genotyping is a key element in HCV treatment management (1). Knowing which genotype and subtype a patient has is extremely important to physicians since each genotype responds differently to treatment1. The launch of the VERSANT HCV Genotype 2.0 Assay (LiPA) now provides correct and broader identification of HCV genotypes with improved subtype accuracy that was not possible by commercial HCV genotyping products until now. The combined CE-marked reagents: the VERSANT HCV Amplification 2.0 Kit (LiPA), VERSANT HCV Genotype 2.0 Assay (LiPA), and LiPA-Scan HCV Software provide easy to use products that minimize hands-on time and maximize results. The system is completed by the release of plasma based run controls in the VERSANT HCV Control 2.0 Kit (LiPA). Based on Innogenetics' important intellectual property assets with respect to HCV genotyping, the new test was developed through a joint development agreement. Bayer has the exclusive worldwide rights for the sales and marketing of Innogenetics' LiPA HCV products, while Innogenetics is responsible for the manufacturing of this product. "Bayer has proven to be a solid and reliable partner for the sale and marketing of Innogenetics LiPA HCV products. They successfully kept this LiPA-based product as the most widely used assay for HCV genotyping," said Frank Morich, CEO, Innogenetics. "Bayer's decision to develop an updated version, based on our established LiPA platform, is a further validation of our technology and know-how. We are confident that this next generation product resulting from our corporate partnership will achieve the same success." "Bayer recognizes there is a tremendous unmet need for a more accurate detection and diagnosis of the hepatitis C virus. The addition of the next generation VERSANT HCV Genotype 2.0 Assay (LiPA) to our portfolio will help provide better treatment regimes for those infected with the virus," said Tony Bihl, President, Bayer Diagnostics. To date hepatitis C infection remains an important challenge for the medical community. Approximately 200 million people are infected world-wide, of whom more than 10 million are located in the US and Europe. Once infected, 85% of the individuals become chronic carriers, which ultimately results in liver failure. About Bayer HealthCare, Diagnostics Division Bayer HealthCare Diagnostics Division is one of the world's market leaders in diagnostics for critical and intensive care, hematology, DCA (hemoglobin A1C), urinalysis, immunology, clinical chemistry and molecular testing. With operations in more than 100 countries, Bayer Diagnostics offers an extensive portfolio of diagnostic systems, point of care testing, molecular diagnostics, laboratory automation and productivity solutions and services to hospitals and health care organizations, laboratories and physicians' offices across the world. Bayer Diagnostics' extensive portfolio covers a myriad of congenital and acquired disease states, including: allergy, anemia, autoimmune disorders, cardiopulmonary care, cardiovascular/heart, diabetes, fertility, infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS, urinary tract infections, kidney and metabolic function, thyroid functions, oncology and virology, as well as immunosuppressant therapy and therapeutic drug monitoring. Bayer HealthCare Diagnostics Division global headquarters are based in Tarrytown, New York, U.S.A, and operate as part of Bayer HealthCare LLC. Bayer HealthCare Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the health care and medical products industry based in Leverkusen/Germany. In 2005, the Bayer HealthCare subgroup generated sales amounting to some 9.4 billion Euro. Bayer HealthCare employed 33.800 people worldwide in 2005. The company combines the global activities of the divisions Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, Diagnostics and Pharmaceuticals. Since January 1, 2006 the new Pharmaceutical Division consists of the former Biological Products and Pharmaceutical Division and now comprises three business units: Hematology/Cardiology, Oncology and Primary Care. Bayer HealthCare's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. The products enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases. Innogenetics Innogenetics is an international biopharmaceutical company building parallel businesses in the areas of specialty diagnostics and therapeutic vaccines. In 2005, total revenues (product sales, royalties, and license fees) reached EUR 48.6 million, with a profitable Specialty Diagnostics Division. Its Diagnostics Division develops a large number of specialty products covering three areas: infectious diseases (hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV), genetic testing (HLA tissue typing and cystic fibrosis), and neurodegeneration (Alzheimer's disease). In its Therapeutics Division, Innogenetics focuses on the development of therapeutic vaccines to address unmet medical needs in the field of infectious diseases, with two compounds now in clinical trials (hepatitis C in phase IIb and hepatitis B in phase I). Founded in 1985, Innogenetics is listed on Euronext Brussels [Ticker: INNX]. Innogenetics' headquarters are in Gent, Belgium, with sales subsidiaries in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Brazil, and the United States. Innogenetics employs 525 people worldwide and has a market capitalization of approximately EUR 315 million. Forward looking statement This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
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