Biofortuna Ltd, a UK-based molecular diagnostics company, today announced they have extended its exclusive distribution agreement with Abbott, for its SSPGo^TM range of freeze dried HLA typing kits, to now include France, Spain, Portugal and the Benelux countries.

Under terms of the agreement, first announced in April, 2011, Abbott now obtains exclusive rights to distribute the range of SSPGo^TM products, Verdict interpretation software, as well as kit updates and improvements, in all global territories.

Biofortuna's novel proprietary freeze-drying capabilities, allows PCR diagnostic kits to be stable at ambient temperature for up to 16 months, eliminating the requirement for refrigerators, freezers, and temperature-controlled shipping. Biofortuna is now offering this proprietary manufacturing expertise as a contract service to diagnostic companies. As all reagents for PCR are freeze dried, the end user is only required to add patient DNA prior to amplification and detection. Biofortuna's freeze dried kits offer significant cost and time savings to laboratories by reducing labour, consumables, and the potential for errors.  

Dr Mike Bunce, CSO of Biofortuna said: "We are delighted that Abbott has become a global exclusive distributor of our SSPGo^TM range of kits. Success of this product in EMEAI and Asia Pacific markets is a clear indication of the growing demand of our proprietary freeze dried kits and Abbott's ability to market and support this product.''

For more information visit www.biofortuna.com

About Biofortuna Ltd

Biofortuna Ltd, the UK-based molecular diagnostics company, specialises in proprietary freeze-dried HLA diagnostics. Biofortuna has a number of freeze-dried molecular diagnostic products targeted at the transplantation market. It is also developing a portfolio of additional tests with the aim of providing easy-to-use diagnostics that address complex genotyping issues, whilst increasing laboratory productivity and improving quality in clinical testing and patient care.