Beefing Traceability Up - Prionics Closes Gap in Consumer Protection

    ZURICH, Switzerland, January 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The world leader in prion
 diagnostics has landed another coup in the fight against animal diseases and
 consumer protection. Prionics AG will be promoting the use of the innovative
 diagnostic ear tag TypiFix(TM), which combines individual livestock
 identification with tissue sampling.
     "The special mummification technique of TypiFix(TM) allows it to easily
 trace back from the fork to the farm", says Prof. Dr. med. Vet. Gottfried
 Brem, inventor of TypiFix(TM). With a TypiFix(TM) sample, it is possible to
 perform various diagnostic tests, such as detecting viral diseases.
     Another application for the innovative system is in animal breeding. If a
 farmer identifies animals with genetic defects early, they can be excluded
 from breeding. "There are various potential applications for TypiFix(TM).
 This makes the system so attractive. The product fills an important gap in
 consumer protection by combining traceability and diagnostics", says Dr.
 Bruno Oesch, chairman of Prionics. TypiFix(TM) has proven successful in
 different pilot studies with governments in Europe and livestock producers in
 the USA. Prionics believes that this diagnostic ear tag will establish itself
 as an international standard.
     Prionics sells and distributes TypiFix(TM) over IDnostics AG, a separate
 business unit, established primarily to market this product. Prionics holds a
 majority-interest in IDnostics.
     About TypiFix(TM)
     The award winning diagnostic ear tag extracts a tissue sample just when
 identifying the animal with the ear tag. The ear tissue is conserved at
 extraction and the farmer can send it to the laboratory for analysis easily
 and cost effective by mail. The particular mummification technique ensures
 that a TypiFix(TM) sample can be stored at room temperature for years. The
 sample is suited for diagnostic tests as well as for DNA analysis. The
 extraction of a tissue sample, which contains an animal's DNA, makes the
 system tamper-proof.
     About Prionics
     The world market leader for rapid mad cow testing was founded in 1997 as
 a spin-off from the University of Zurich. Prionics carries out research and
 development in diagnostics for prion diseases (such as BSE) and other
 zoonotic diseases. The recipient of the Swiss Economic Award 2002 as "Company
 of the year" and winner of the European Biotech Award 2004 for Excellence in
 Biotech Business; Prionics is driving its business through a combination of
 outstanding research, high-quality products and novel marketing concepts.
     For more information please visit www.prionics.com, www.idnostics.com
     Contact: Stephanie Musshafen, Director of Corporate Communications, Tel.:
 +41-44-200-20-95, Email: press.relations@prionics.ch
 
 

SOURCE  Prionics AG