Biotrin, Dublin, Ireland (9th July 2008) has today announced the purchase by DiaSorin S.p.A, Saluggia, Italy, of 100% of the shareholding of Biotrin Group Ltd, held by Dr Cormac Kilty, management and Enterprise Ireland, for a total consideration of €25 million. The purchase will see DiaSorin acquiring the infectious disease diagnostics business of Biotrin. Earlier this month the organ damage biomarker business of Biotrin was spun out into a separate company, Argutus Medical Limited.

Biotrin is the world leader in tests for Human Parvovirus B19, a virus that can cause miscarriage in pregnancy. With regard to future growth Biotrin recently signed an exclusive world-wide licence agreement with the United States National Institutes of Health to develop tests to monitor the efficacy of the new cervical cancer vaccines that have been licensed in Europe and the United States.

DiaSorin, a leading global diagnostics company, intends to expand Biotrin’s business by adapting the tests to its automated laboratory test instruments. Biotrin’s current operations will remain in Dublin. “DiaSorin is the right partner for Biotrin” said Dr Cormac Kilty, Biotrin’s CEO. “They have a great reputation in the market and with their global sales network and instrument base they will provide huge opportunities for growth for Biotrin’s infectious disease business.” “Biotrin is a world leader in the field of novel viral diagnostics and its product line is a great fit with our portfolio” said Carlo Rosa, CEO of DiaSorin.

For further information from Biotrin please contact: Dr Cormac Kilty at Biotrin Ph: +353 (1) 283 1857 +353 (86) 244 3059

Further information on Diasorin may be found at http://www.diasorin.com/en/home and on the acquisition at http://www.diasorin.com/upload/acquisizione_Biotrin_eng.pdf