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| November 28, 2001 |
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| New Test for Bacterial Infection to be Launched |
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| Mitsubishi Kagaku Medical, Inc. |
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(Tokyo) - Mitsubishi Kagaku Medical, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi
Chemical Corporation, will launch a nucleic acid test to detect gene of the most
common bacterial causes of sexually transmitted disease in December 2001. The
test easily detects the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae
by testing a cervical swab sample in women or a urine specimen in men. It was
approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare as a procedure covered by
health insurance on September 12, 2001.
Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are the two most common bacterial
causes of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Recent infection rates of chlamydia
and gonorrhea, the conditions caused by the bacteria, are increasing, particularly
in young people in their teens and twenties. Although highly treatable with antibiotics,
many patients do not notice the infections because the symptoms are relatively
mild. It is important, however, for patients to receive an accurate diagnosis
and appropriate treatment for the conditions as early as possible.
Mitsubishi Kagaku Medical's new diagnostic test was developed by Digene Corporation
(Maryland, USA) and is the first test to detect gene launched by Mitsubishi Kagaku
Medical. The test utilizes a detection method called Hybrid Capture technology,
which combines the sensitivity of traditional target amplification technologies
but is less complex. The new technology permits reliable detection of the STD-causing
bacteria without expensive dedicated laboratory space or sophisticated expertise.
It is anticipated that the new test will be widely used at diagnostic laboratories
as well as small and medium-sized hospitals and clinics, where it was difficult
to test for the presence of STD-causing bacteria in the past.
Mitsubishi Kagaku Medical has also applied for approval from the Ministry of Health,
Labor and Welfare for a nucleic acid test to detect human papillomavirus (HPV),
which causes cervical cancer in women. The HPV test also utilizes the Hybrid Capture
technology. Once approved, it will be possible to detect the presence of chlamydia,
gonorrhea or HPV with a single test sample. Mitsubishi Kagaku Medical plans to
focus its efforts not only in the sexually transmitted disease field, but also
the greater infectious disease field in the future. The company expects the total
sales of the Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae detection tests to
generate Yen 300 million in the next fiscal year.
The sales of Mitsubishi Kagaku Medical's products in Japan are managed by its
sole agent, Dia-Iatron Co., Ltd.. Mitsubishi Kagaku Medical is headquartered in
Inashiki-gun, Ibaragi Prefecture (Yasuhiro Morinaka, President); Mitsubishi Chemical
Corporation is headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Kanji Shono, President); and
Dia-Iatron Co. is headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Osamu Naito, President).
| For further information, please contact |
| Public Relations Department, |
| Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. |
| Tel: [+81] 3-3283-6254 |
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