Gentian becomes sole reagent supplier in sales channel agreement between Roche and BÜHLMANN for fCAL® turbo

Moss, 13.08.2019

Gentian Diagnostics is pleased to announce an agreement as sole reagent supplier in a sales channel agreement between Roche Diagnostics, the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) market leader, and Gentian’s sales, marketing and development partner BÜHLMANN Laboratories AG. Gentian will deliver the BÜHLMANN fCAL® turbo immunoassay reagents for the Roche/BÜHLMANN co-branded test-kit, supplied with a large install-base of clinical chemistry instruments, the COBAS® c501/502 series. With this agreement the innovative product for high volume fecal testing and monitoring of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) will be available to Roche´s laboratory customers globally.

The market for fecal testing is today mainly served by semi-automatic tests with less effective workflow and unfavourable handling properties compared to the innovative BÜHLMANN fCAL® turbo. The test is mainly used in Europe, but is in early stage development in the US and other markets globally. Gentian estimates that the total market for fecal calprotectin testing was approximately NOK 150 million, with an estimated underlying growth of 10-15%.

First deliveries to the Roche channel is expected from the third quarter 2019, but volume impact from the agreement will affect Gentian's revenue as of 2020.

Gentian has in cooperation with its partner BÜHLMANN delivered the BÜHLMANN fCAL® turbo to the market since 2016 and recorded an 81% sales growth in 2018 with sales reaching NOK 9.9 million. The BÜHLMANN fCAL® turbo is the most automated IVD test system for IBD on the market. It enables laboratories to provide results faster to their clinicians and to run higher test volumes, based on the increasing demand for IBD laboratory diagnostic solutions.

Gentian´s CEO Dr. Hilja Ibert says: “With Roche we will have a world class IVD commercial organization promoting the BÜHLMANN fCAL® turbo. This will significantly increase the awareness of our innovative product. Together, we aim to improve the management of inflammatory bowel disease.” Please see the enclosed release for additional information.

2019 08 13 Buhl_Roche

For further information please contact:

Hilja Ibert CEO, Gentian Diagnostics AS
E-mail: hilja.ibert@gentian.com
+47 919 05 242

Njaal Kind CFO, Gentian Diagnostics AS
E-mail: njaal.kind@gentian.com
+47 919 06 525