Osmetech acquired the Opti product line from Roche Diagnostics. Opti is the portable analysis technology for bloodgas and electrolytes measurement. This highly successful analyser has also taken the veterinary world by storm. IDEXX Laboratories Inc (IDXX) have entered into a ten year OEM agreement to provide the customised OPTI analysers to the veterinary field under the brand VetStat.

In September 2004 the company acquired the "OPTIgene" (Genedrive) product from MS this technology will enable OMH a strong entry point into the fastest growing market segment of DNA based diagnostics. A market that is growing at an annual rate of 20% and is currently worth $ 22 bln !

In the latest acquisition 1/7/05 Osmetech acquired Clinical Micro Sensors from Motorola PLC, OMH plans to utilise the eSensor technology coupled with OPTIgene to address the majority of existing and new tests in the genetic diagnostics market. 'CMS's diagnostic tests for cystic fibrosis and CYP450 are closest to commercial launch and OMH believes that these products have significant market potential.

Scroll & Click for Websites & Other LinksRT Mag Wall Street Reporter Interviews JW

Up Coming Events in 2006

CMS CYP450 product Launch!!!!!............................................. 2006

IDEXX critical care platform Launch!!!!!....................................2006/7....much more to follow

Click Here to Track Osmetech's Progress in the "Stocks That Could Double in 2006" Competition

"Austin-based Luminex Corp. and Tm Bioscience Corporation today announced a definitive agreement for Luminex to acquire Tm Bioscience Corporation, a leader in the commercial genetic testing market."
Luminex to acquire molecular diagnostics company

(Thanks to Bucketfull on AFN)

Thanks to Bruce (AFN)

Citywire tip - just out!
http://www.citywire.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.aspx?VersionID=87844&NewsPage=2

The recent announcement by molecular diagnostics testing company Osmetech (OMH) regarding the sale of its Critical Care division to IDEXX has led to a surprising 11.5% fall in its share price to a current mid-price of 25p.

In all fairness the shares experienced an excellent run prior to the disposal, with a gain of almost 80% from its lows back in September.

The company revealed it had sold the Critical Care Division for $44.9 million (22.9 million), a 15-fold increase from its original purchase price back in 2003. The company also said the cash balance at the end of November was 7.98 million.

Should Osmetech obtain shareholder approval at its extraordinary general meeting on 9 January, then before any cash burn, the company should be sitting on more than 30 million in liquid reserves. And with a market capitalisation of 50 million, the enterprise value is just 20 million.

The company will now specialise solely in molecular diagnostics which it promotes as the fastest growing sector of the global diagnostics market.

Osmetech intends to use the sale proceeds to develop and commercialise its existing product pipeline, secure licensing agreements and explore acquisition targets in the molecular diagnostics field. It may even consider entering non-healthcare markets to leverage its intellectual property.

It is interesting to note that since the disposal, UBS increased its holding in Osmetech by 785,000 shares to 12.35% of the company. And the last trade reported on 18 December was for 785,000 shares at 30.5p, a trade I suspect that belongs to UBS. On that basis it appears that the smart money is prepared to pay top dollar for the stock.

Although a comparison with fellow diagnostic company Proteome Sciences (PRM) is a bit tenuous, the difference in sheer valuations is startling. As of its last set of results in September, Proteome had just 900,000 cash with a 2 million loan facility.

The company is capitalised at 80 million suggesting an enterprise value of 79 million, barring non-cash assets. Osmetechs is just 20 million come mid January. Given the companys prospects and its relative low valuation, long positions should be considered at market with a stop-loss based on a close below 21p.

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anyone read the Express today ?

There has been an announcement from the company this am...not reported on here.

wow !
where is everyone, thought this thread would be alive today!!!!!