Moss, 3 July 2020 

Gentian Diagnostics AS is pleased to announce that the Research Council of
Norway (Norges Forskningsråd) has awarded Gentian up to NOK 8.0 million of
funding to support the development of a high-throughput COVID-19 antibody test.
Gentian has in cooperation with Professor Ørjan Olsvik and Dr. Vegard Skogen at
the University of Tromsø, The Arctic University of Norway performed explorative
test work that supports an idea of developing a COVID-19 antibody test based on
Gentian’s proprietary technology. The assay, if successfully developed, will be
designed for use on clinical analysers already available in major laboratories
around the world.

The project will now enter a proof-of-concept phase, and subject to fulfilment
of the criteria for this phase the project is intended to undergo a fast track
development and planned for launch in 2021.
 
In the proof-of-concept phase the Company will investigate the technical
feasibility, perform a market assessment and if applicable specify the project
to develop the assay.
 
CEO Hilja Ibert commented: “Although at an early stage we are excited to
participate towards a solution to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. With Gentian’s
technology there is an opportunity to significantly increase testing capacity
and make testing available and affordable to all”. 


For further information, please contact:

Hilja Ibert
CEO, Gentian Diagnostics
E-mail: hilja.ibert@gentian.no
Cell Phone: +47 919 05 242


Njaal Kind
CFO, Gentian Diagnostics
E-mail: njaal.kind@gentian.no
Cell Phone. +47 919 06 525