Biohit and Acetaldehyde

FINNISH SCIENTISTS AS PIONEERS IN ACETALDEHYDE RESEARCH

• Acetaldehyde research has particularly strong traditions in Finland.
• In cooperation with Biohit Oy, researchers from the University of Helsinki are commercialising several innovations which will notably reduce exposure to acetaldehyde.

Biohit's preparations are based on a simple and safe innovation that binds and inactivates reactive acetaldehyde produced by microbes or released from cigarette smoke. This is performed with a natural amino acid, cysteine, released locally and slowly.
The Acetium capsule, released on the market in 2010, is intended for people with an acid-free stomach.
An acid-free stomach and a Helicobacter pylori infection are the most important risk factors for gastric cancer. Cysteine, slowly releasing from the capsule into the stomach, effectively binds the acetaldehyde produced by microbes from alcohol or sugar.
• Cysteine released from a lozenge or chewing gum (XyliCyst) can remove nearly one hundred per cent of acetaldehyde dissolved in the saliva from cigarette smoke.
• A filter containing cysteine (BioFilter) can remove close to 90 per cent of acetaldehyde from cigarette smoke.
• Acetaldehyde remaining in alcoholic beverages and foodstuffs can be bound with a specifically defined addition of cysteine (BioFood method).

Biohit Oyj

Established in 1988, Biohit Oyj is a Finnish biotechnology company quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki since 1999. It applies a determined and persistent, aggressive innovation and patenting strategy in its operations (www.biohit.com/Company/History, www.biohit.com/Diagnostics/Literature and brochures and www.google.com / search “Aggressive innovation and patenting strategy in Finland”).

In cooperation with scientific communities, Biohit produces new technology, products and services based on research results and innovations for the development of safe and cost-effective liquid handling in laboratories and the early diagnosis and prevention of gastrointestinal tract diseases.

Biohit is divided into liquid handling and diagnostics business units. Liquid handling products include electronic and mechanical pipettes and dispensers, and disposable tips, as well as pipette maintenance and calibration services for use by research institutions, healthcare and industrial laboratories. Diagnostics business comprises products and analysis systems for early diagnosing of gastrointestinal diseases, e.g. the blood-sample based GastroPanel and GastroView, for diagnosing diseases of the stomach and associated risks, as well as quick tests for the diagnosis of lactose intolerance and Helicobacter pylori infection and ColonView examination for early diagnosis of intestinal bleeding. The Acetium capsule, developed to eliminate carcinogenic acetaldehyde in the gastrointestinal tract, forms part of the strategical development work of the diagnostics business unit, aimed at preventing gastrointestinal diseases.

Biohit Group employs a staff of approximately 370 in 9 countries. The company is headquartered in Finland and has subsidiaries in France, Germany, the UK, Russia, India, China, Japan and the USA. Additionally, Biohit's products are sold by approximately 450 distributors in 70 countries.

Biohit's share (BIOBV) is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Small cap list.