PRESS RELEASE

Issued: 4 July 2002

NEW BUSINESS TO CHALLENGE THE GLOBAL PROGRESS OF TB

Technology entrepreneurs Sentec have 'spun-out' another new business - Rapid Biosensor Systems Limited (RBS), which will commercially exploit patented technology for rapid screening of the global killer tuberculosis (TB).

Established with seed-funding from Sentec, RBS will function autonomously as it both develops its own IP portfolio and generates income from licensing deals.

RBS's core technology was developed earlier this year under Sentec's private venture process and jointly funded by a Sentec and a DTI SMART award. It is a breathalyser-type system that allows quick and simple collection of samples from patients and a rapid on-the-spot analysis. Initially the main focus will be on TB which the World Health Organisation (WHO) projects could infect one billion people and kill 35 million over the next 20 years. Globally TB incidence is rising at three percent annually, but in England and Wales infection rates are climbing rapidly with a 35 per cent incidence increase each year.

Key to limiting illness and death from TB is early detection: the RBS technology means treatment can start promptly and at a target cost of just £2 per test, expensive screening will no longer be a limiting factor to the management of TB. In the UK it currently costs around £6000 to treat TB patients.

It is envisaged that ultimately the technology - developed by Sentec's biotechnology and photonics experts - will become a generic platform for screening for a range of infectious diseases such as influenza and pneumonia. In addition, RBS plans to use the existing technology to develop solutions for other applications such as detection of bacteria in food products.

The new CEO of RBS is Dennis Camilleri. He said, 'Sentec's innovation and seed-funding has provided an excellent basis from which we will aim to establish licensing deals with global healthcare organisations. We anticipate that our current and future investors will play a literally vital and life-saving role in the key area of TB which is now being considered a global emergency by the WHO.'

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"…. a global emergency by the WHO.'"

Sentec's Dr Mark England commented, 'Our business is all about creating real value through exploiting technology for commercial application. We see RBS quickly becoming a leading player in the $20 billion healthcare screening and diagnostics market. The team leading RBS are highly experienced in both medical and business management fields and will rapidly take the technology into the fight against a range of infectious diseases.'

Sentec develops new technologies and creates appropriate spin-outs to capitalise on these. Among businesses that it has founded are Visual Protection Limited, Smartbead and Polatis.

This news release and illustration is issued in accordance with Clause 1.2j of the British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion and therefore cannot be subject to a transaction of any kind.