Epistem is a biotechnology company applying its expertise in epithelial stem cells in the areas of oncology and gastrointestinal diseases as well as dermatological applications.

Epistem has become recognised as a specialist in epithelial tissue and stem cell analyses. Our heritage is based on our expert science and know-how in the field of epithelial tissue and adult epithelial stem cell biology.

Epistem does not conduct research into embryonic stem cells or stem cell transplantation.

Founded in 2000, the Company originally formed part of the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, UK. The founders and management are international experts in epithelial tissue, tumours and stem cell control and lead a team of experienced scientific staff, with specialist skills in the field.

Located in purpose-built office and laboratory facilities adjacent to The University of Manchester, UK, Epistem maintains close links with drug development companies, clinicians and academics in the field, ensuring that the Company remains at the forefront of stem cell science and technology development.


http://www.epistem.co.uk/

UPDATE - Epistem partner receives licence to import Genedrive TB diagnostic

By Ian Lyall

April 23 2015, 8:14am
Xcelris Labs, Epistem’s distributor, will begin to place the device with key opinion leaders in the country.
Xcelris Labs, Epistem’s distributor, will begin to place the device with key opinion leaders in the country.


---ADDS BACKGROUND AND OPENING SHARE PRICE---

Epistem Holdings’ (LON:EHP) Indian partner has received a licence that will allow it to import the Genedrive molecular diagnostic test for tuberculosis.

Chief executive Matthew Walls said the green light from the Indian government provides “a powerful endorsement of our strategy of developing Genedrive for infectious diseases”. The licence runs for three years.

Xcelris Labs, Epistem’s distributor, will begin to place the device with key opinion leaders in the country.

It will also train and carefully monitor the operation of the first Genedrive field-based units to ensure the “rapid and accurate diagnosis of TB sufferers”.

CEO Walls said: “We are now focused on obtaining the support of Indian based key opinion leaders to support the use and adoption of our device and assays.

“We see great potential for our TB test and its technical and commercial advantages for roll out in low income and developing countries in addition to the emerging potential for our Genedrive platform in other disease areas.”

Genedrive is initially being targeted at TB market, but Epistem has been investigating its use in malaria, dengue fever, typhoid, HIV, HCV and a range of sexually transmitted diseases.

Epistem is expecting big things of its handheld diagnostic device, which can produce test results for a range of conditions within 30 minutes.

It is aiming to provide a 'gold standard' for the identification of TB and antibiotic resistance.

The World Health Organisation has publicly recommended that nations incorporate new rapid molecular tests for TB into their disease testing into their programmes.

After India, the plan is to roll out the Genedrive TB test worldwide.

The shares, up 33% in the past month, opened slightly higher at 318.7p each, valuing the business at just shy of £32mln.

proactiveinvestors/epistem-accelerating-global-push-of-unique-tb-diagnostic-device.