ArcticZymes launches its first Proteinase enzyme
(Tromsø 20 June 2018) Biotec Pharmacon ASA's (OSE:BIOTEC) subsidiary
ArcticZymes adds the first Proteinase enzyme to its portfolio.
ArcticZymes' Proteinase is a novel heat-labile enzyme easily inactivated after
use. Gentle inactivation of the enzyme enables broader compatibility in the
development of kits and products serving the In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) and
molecular research market segments.

In developing the Proteinase, ArcticZymes worked with collaborators and
customers to demonstrate its key benefits in streamlining workflows in research
and product development. In particular, ArcticZymes has collaborated with
Associate Professor Anders Ståhlberg, a leading authority in single-cell biology
and liquid biopsies at the Sahlgrenska Cancer Center in Gothenburg. Ståhlbergs'
lab demonstrated the utility of ArcticZymes Proteinase to solve technical
challenges in the isolation of low abundance DNA samples from precious biopsies
or biological samples, prior to DNA analysis by PCR and Next Generation
Sequencing.

"The properties of ArcticZymes' Proteinase open up new possibilities to analyze
nucleic acids in ways that has not been possible before. Currently, we are
exploring a number of applications in the areas of liquid biopsy and single-cell
analysis'' says A. Ståhlberg.

The new enzyme is supported by intellectual property, which ArcticZymes will
convey to its customers. By adopting the enzyme, customers can take advantage of
its benefits to improve existing kits and in the development of new products or
technologies.

With respect to potential, the new enzyme will open ArcticZymes ability to
penetrate the liquid biopsy and sample preparation markets within our existing
customer base as well as new IVD customers we are not reaching today. The
technical advantages ArcticZymes Proteinase offers will resonant well with IVD
companies developing non-invasive tests based on cancer biomarkers. As with any
new enzyme launch, it will take 1-4 years for our customers to commercialize
their technologies or IVD assays containing the enzyme. Longer-term we can
expect Proteinase sales similar to our leading products today. The incremental
addition of new synergist products to ArcticZymes portfolio will continue to
increase our relevance to customers across the market segments we serve.

"ArcticZymes Proteinase is a new class of enzyme for the company and provides
synergy with our other enzyme product offerings. The enzyme enables ArcticZymes
to provide a new component to the liquid biopsy and sample preparation market.
We are excited to offer another unique innovation and look forward to supporting
our customers in exploiting the enzymes unique features in their product
developments." says Jethro Holter, Managing Director ArcticZymes, AS.