Companies: ASD   

Diagnostic group Axis-Shield’s NycoCard test is to play a role in a major study of patient suitability for antibiotic treatment.

The Dundee-based company says the NycoCard C-Reactive Protein (CRP) test is to be used in an EC Priority Sixth Framework Programme study involving 400 general practitioners in Denmark, Lithuania, France, Sweden, Argentina and Spain, whose results will be aired at a conference of the World Association of Family Doctors. The objective of the study is to strengthen surveillance of respiratory tract infections in primary health care, as part of a programme to reduce the prescription of unnecessary antibiotics for respiratory tract infections.

Ian Gilham, chief executive officer of fully listed Axis-Shield, explains, ‘Studies like this will increase awareness of the critical issue of antibiotic resistance and how testing for CRP elevation in the blood can be used to reduce this problem throughout Europe’.

Axis-Shield shares, highlighted by Growth Company Investor at 270p in March, have now reached 335p, valuing the company at £164.4 million, and could fare better than some sector peers.

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