Re Agreement

RNS Number:5807W
Axis-Shield PLC
09 January 2006


   AXIS-SHIELD PLC SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH DPC REGARDING ANTI-CCP TEST FOR EARLY
   DETECTION OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS ON THE IMMULITE(R) AUTOMATED IMMUNOASSAY
                                     SYSTEM


Dundee, Scotland, 9 January 2006: Axis-Shield (LSE:ASD, OSE:ASD), the
international in vitro diagnostics company, today announces that it has signed
an agreement with Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC) of Los Angeles,
California, to incorporate a test for anti-CCP (for the early detection of
rheumatoid arthritis) on the IMMULITE(R) family of analysers. The anti-CCP assay
is regarded by many experts as the most significant recent development in early
disease diagnosis and potential improved management of this widespread and
debilitating condition, affecting over 2 million people in the USA alone. The
IMMULITE(R) chemiluminescent immunoassay system is designed for ease of use,
reliability, high-performance assays and fully integrated operation. Worldwide,
IMMULITE(R) systems have been chosen for various types of immunoassay testing
due to their flexible platforms and breadth of menu.

Svein Lien, Axis-Shield CEO, commented: "We are very pleased that our important
patented assay for anti-CCP will be added to the menu of this widely-placed and
versatile platform. We have already licensed homocysteine to DPC for IMMULITE(R)
platforms and we look forward to furthering our collaboration with this
successful and respected organisation, which is a major player in the
immunoassay marketplace."


Enquiries:

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

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


Notes to Editors

About Axis-Shield

Axis-Shield is a global manufacturer of in vitro diagnostic kits with a focus on
new markers in cardiovascular, rheumatoid, infectious and alcohol-related
diseases, diabetes, dementia and near patient testing to facilitate improved
patient management. News releases and company information are available at
www.axis-shield.com

About DPC

Diagnostic Products Corporation is a worldwide provider of immunodiagnostic
systems and reagents. DPC's tests supply information vital to the detection and
management of adrenal/pituitary dysfunction, allergy, anemia, bone metabolism
disturbances, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infectious diseases,
inflammation, reproductive and thyroid disorders, and therapeutic drug levels,
allowing DPC to serve major clinical and veterinary diagnostic areas. Through a
team now numbering over 2,500 employees, DPC maintains the product quality,
service and support that have become the Company's hallmarks since its founding
in 1971. Focused on providing customers with full immunoassay solutions, DPC is
a world leader in the immunodiagnostics market and continues to be a company on
the move. Company news is available at www.dpcweb.com


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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