APPROVAL aids battle

AXIS-SHIELD, the medical testing kit maker embroiled in a takeover battle with New York-listed rival Alere, yesterday received approval to sell an updated version of an arthritis test in America.

By The Newsroom

Published 26th Aug 2011, 22:57 BST

The US Food & Drug Administration said the Dundee-based firm could sell its “anti-CCP Elisa” kit, which is used in laboratories for the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Axis-Shield, which published its defence against Alere’s £230 million takeover bid on Thursday, said the updated version of the kit would give improved profit margins because of its lower manufacturing costs.

Chief executive Ian Gilham added: “The clearance of our new anti-CCP by the FDA is further validation of Axis-Shield’s strong track record of working closely with regulators.”