AEGiS-PRn: T Cell Diagnostics And Diamedix Sign U.S. Distribution Agreement For Trax Cd4/Cd8

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

T Cell Diagnostics And Diamedix Sign U.S. Distribution Agreement For Trax Cd4/Cd8

PR Newswire - 29 December 1995

NEEDHAM, Mass., Dec. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- T Cell Diagnostics, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of T Cell Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: TCEL), today announced an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement relating to the sale and promotion of T Cell Diagnostics' TRAx(R)CD4 and CD8 microtiter plate diagnostic kits with Diamedix Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of IVAX Corporation (AMEX: IVX). TRAx CD4 is an enzyme immunoassay used for enumeration of CD4+ T lymphocytes (certain white blood cells) in humans. CD4+ cell counts provide important information of the status of the immune system in patients with diseases such as HIV, cancer and immune-related disorders.

Diamedix will sell, promote and distribute kits to clinical diagnostic laboratories in the United States, while T Cell Diagnostics retains the rights to sell kits to certain research laboratories and pharmaceutical companies. T Cell Diagnostics will manufacture the products.

T Cell Diagnostics will receive a signing fee, a purchase price for the supply of kits and annual order commitments from Diamedix. The agreement also provides for T Cell to receive royalties on sales, and represents a first step forward in T Cell's multi-faceted commercialization strategy. T Cell retains all rights for TRAx CD4/CD8 outside the United States (except certain Asian markets which are partnered with Yamanouchi), for additional TRAx products, and for all non-microtiter automated equipment platforms.

"T Cell is very pleased to have entered into an agreement with Diamedix, a company that has a strong presence within the U.S. immunodiagnostic market," said Alan W. Tuck, President and Chief Executive Officer of T Cell Sciences. "T Cell Diagnostics will focus on the creation of new technology, while joining forces with an aggressive diagnostic company for sales and distribution. This sharing of responsibility provides important financial leverage for both companies."

"Distribution of such leading edge technology as TRAx CD4 and CD8 further enhances Diamedix' position as an innovative company in the field of enzyme immunoassays," said Giorgio D'Urso, President and Chief Executive Officer of Diamedix Corporation.

T Cell Diagnostics received clearance from the FDA earlier this year to market TRAx CD4 for CD4 cell enumeration. The company will be submitting a 510(k) application to the FDA in early 1996 seeking marketing clearance for TRAx CD8. Diamedix expects to begin selling TRAx CD4 diagnostics in the first quarter of 1996.

Diamedix Corporation, headquartered in Miami, Florida, is a worldwide manufacturer and marketer of enzyme immunoassays, which are used to detect the presence of autoimmune and infectious diseases. IVAX Corporation, Diamedix' parent company, is a holding company with subsidiaries engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of generic and branded pharmaceuticals, intravenous solutions and related products, in vitro diagnostics, personal care products and specialty chemicals.

T Cell Sciences, Inc. is utilizing proprietary complement inhibition and T cell receptor technology to develop pharmaceutical products to treat diseases of inflammation and autoimmunity. T Cell Diagnostics, a wholly owned subsidiary of T Cell Sciences, develops, manufactures and markets innovative diagnostic and research products.

EDITORS ADVISORY: T Cell Sciences' President and CEO, Alan W. Tuck, will be available via conference call on Thursday, January 4, at 12 Noon, EST, to review recent events in T Cell's 1995 performance and status entering 1996. Please contact Marla McMahon at 617-433-0771 if you would like to participate.

CONTACT: Alan W. Tuck, President & CEO, 617-433-0771, or Lori Martin, Investor Relations, 617-433-3107, both of T Cell Sciences, Inc./ 10:04 EST

Copyright (c) 1995/PR NewsWire. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Permissions Desk, PR Newswire, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019.
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