Product Launch

RNS Number:2732T
Axis-Shield PLC
28 October 2005

AXIS-SHIELD ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEW HOMOCYSTEINE TEST ON DADE BEHRING ANALYSERS

Dundee 28 October 2005: Axis-Shield plc (LSE: ASD) today announces that Dade
Behring Inc (NASDAQ:DADE), the world's largest company dedicated solely to
clinical diagnostics and a pioneer in cardiac diagnostic testing, has launched
an Axis-Shield manufactured homocysteine assay in Europe for use on its BN(TM)
II and BN ProSpec(R) systems. Dade Behring will sell and distribute this product
under the Dade Behring name.  Homocysteine is a cardiac marker used to determine
if a person is at high risk of a heart attack or stroke.  Up to 47% of patients
with symptoms of cardiovascular disease show elevated levels of homocysteine.
Dade Behring now provides physicians with one of the most complete
cardiovascular risk assessment menus, allowing them to better diagnose a patient
at risk of a heart attack.

"Because heart attacks are the leading cause of death in both men and women,
providing physicians with a better way to assess the health of their at-risk
patients is a major priority for us," said Jim Reid-Anderson, Chairman,
President and CEO, Dade Behring.  "The launch of a homocysteine test reflects
our commitment to helping clinicians find the best way to manage and assess
cardiovascular disease in their patients and thus significantly improve patient
outcomes."

Homocysteine is an amino acid present in the circulation which, when increased,
is found to be associated with the progression of a number of serious clinical
conditions, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. There are
multiple factors that influence blood levels of homocysteine, including
genetics, vitamins, lifestyle, chronic diseases and drugs.

Svein Lien, Axis-Shield Chief Executive Officer commented: "We are very pleased
that Dade Behring has launched a homocysteine assay on its BN systems, which are
particularly well placed in laboratories offering routine and specialty plasma
protein testing. Dade Behring is a major player in our industry and is very
strong in the area of cardiovascular risk assessment, a main indication for
homocysteine testing. This latest launch represents another important step in
our drive to maximize the commercial potential of homocysteine testing and its
use in monitoring individual well being."

Enquiries

Axis-Shield plc
Paul Garvey, Finance Director                            Tel:  [phone]
Svein Lien, CEO                                          Tel:  [phone]

Financial Dynamics
David Yates / Davina Langdale                            Tel:  [phone]

Notes to Editors

About Axis-Shield

Axis-Shield is an international in vitro diagnostics company, headquartered in
Dundee with R&D and manufacturing bases in Dundee and Oslo.  The Group
specialises in the development, manufacture and marketing of innovative
proprietary diagnostics kits in areas of clinical need, including cardiovascular
and neurological diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, alcohol abuse and diabetes. It
has a special focus on effective testing at the point of care, for improved
patient management.

For more information on Axis-Shield, please refer to www.axis-shield.com

About Dade Behring

With 2004 revenues of nearly $1.6 billion, Dade Behring is the world's largest
company dedicated solely to clinical diagnostics.  It offers a wide range of
products, systems and services designed to meet the day-to-day needs of labs,
delivering innovative solutions to customers and enhancing the quality of life
for patients.  Additional company information is available on the internet at
www.dadebehring.com.


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