GenePOC® launches its GenePOC® CDiff test in Canada

Québec, Canada (ots) - GenePOC announces the Health Canada
approval and launch of its molecular diagnostic test for the
detection of Clostridium difficile in Canada

GenePOC Inc., member of the Debiopharm Group, is proud to announce
the approval by Health Canada and the launch of its GenePOC CDiff
assay to be used with the revogene(TM) instrument.

About the Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)

In Canada, CDI is the main cause of infectious diarrhea in
hospitals and long-term care facilities. In 2017, the INSPQ estimated
that the incidence of C. Difficile nosocomial infections had reached
up to 6.08 cases per 10 000 days-attendance. The mortality rates at
10 and 30 days were 6.3% and 12.4%, respectively(1). Still today, CDI
represents a major issue for many medical institutions and is
associated with 260 million dollars in additional health care
costs(2).

About GenePOC CDiff assay and the revogene instrument

The GenePOC CDiff assay is a qualitative in vitro diagnostic test
to detect the toxin B (tcdB) gene of toxigenic C. difficile in stool
specimens obtained from patients suspected of having CDI.

"The approval of our CDiff assay by Health Canada for the
diagnostic of toxigenic C. difficile is in line with the objectives
of control and prevention of this nosocomial infection. Within only
seventy minutes, a CDI can be identified. Our molecular tests have
demonstrated to provide specific, sensitive and timely identification
of patients with toxigenic CDI. Moreover, they are easy to use and
affordable".
- Patrice Allibert, PhD, CEO of GenePOC

"C. difficile kills approximately 3000 Canadians a year. Rapid
diagnosis using GenePOC's unique technology, initially developed in
my laboratory at University Laval in Québec City, will save many
lives while controlling its costly dissemination in hospitals."
- Professor Michel G. Bergeron, M.D.

The GenePOC CDiff test has been developed with the financial
support of the FPQIS (Fonds de partenariat pour un Québec en santé).

The revogene is an automated and stand-alone instrument. It
enables testing of single-use proprietary microfluidic cartridges,
called PIEs, with its fluorescence-based real-time polymerase chain
reaction platform to deliver an accurate diagnosis.

About GenePOC

GenePOC is a company that specializes in the development of
diagnostic devices which enable the prevention and detection of
infectious diseases. The company aims to become the market leader in
rapid microbial testing. GenePOC is a member of the Debiopharm Group.
GenePOC's revogene instrument is available in the US, EU and Canadian
markets with a rapidly expanding test menu. Further information:
www.genepoc-diagnostics.com

About Debiopharm Group

Debiopharm Group is a Swiss-headquartered global biopharmaceutical
group including five companies active in the life science areas of
drug development, GMP manufacturing of proprietary drugs, diagnostic
tools and investment management. For more information, please see
www.debiopharm.com.

(1) INSPQ Update July 24th 2017 (http://www.inspq.qc.ca)
(2) Levy and al., Open Forum Infect Dis 2015; 2: 1-10

Pressekontakt:
Debiopharm International SA Contact Christelle von Büren Communication Coordinator christelle.vonburen@debiopharm.com

GenePOC Contact Patrice Allibert, Ph.D. CEO patrice.allibert@genepoc.ca

Original-Content von: Debiopharm International SA, übermittelt durch news aktuell