Catachem Introduces the Glycated Hemoglobin (A1c) In-Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Chemistry Reagent Kit.

Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA (December 1, 2003)…. Catachem, Inc. (Catachem, Private) today announced the addition of the Glycated Hemoglobin (Glycohemoglobin, HbA1c, GHb1Ac, A1c) in vitro diagnostic (IVD) chemistry reagent kit for human and veterinary laboratory diagnostics.

Hemoglobin is the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Glycohemoglobin is a form of hemoglobin that has blood sugar (glucose) bound to it. There are three types of glycohemoglobin (A_1a, A_1b, A_1c). Test results help monitor the long-term control of blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. Most doctors consider the glycohemoglobin A_1c level most effective in monitoring the control of diabetes. Normally, only a small percentage of hemoglobin in the blood (4% to 6%) has glucose bound to it. However, people with diabetes (or other conditions that increase their blood glucose levels) have more glycohemoglobin than normal.  Home blood glucose monitoring (self-testing) measures the level of blood glucose only at that moment. However, blood glucose levels vary throughout the day, depending upon diet, exercise, and the level of insulin in the blood. It is useful to get information about the long-term control of blood sugar levels. The glycohemoglobin test requires only one blood sample every 3 to 4 months, and the test is not affected by recent changes in diet, exercise, or medications.  For patients with diabetes, a glycohemoglobin test indicates how well diabetes has been controlled in the 2 to 3 months before the test. Information gained from a glycohemoglobin test can help determine diabetes medication adjustment. It can also assist the physician estimate risk of developing complications from diabetes (such as kidney failure, vision problems, and leg or foot numbness).  Glycated Hemoglobin HbA1c (enzymatic) or Glycohemoglobin (GHb) A1c is a two reagent chemistry (R1 & R2, powder form) A1c Kits CC121A.

Benjamin Twombly, Vice President Sales and Marketing, commented, “Catachem provides chemistries for early diagnosis, a critical part of effective disease management.”  Luis P. Leon, President, commented, “Over the years our customers have grown to trust Catachem’s chemistries.”

About Catachem, Inc.

Catachem has a rich 20 year history in clinical chemistry as a manufacturer and distributor of in-vitro chemistry products and services for human, veterinary and environmental laboratories. Catachem chemists helped develop many of the automated diagnostic chemistries widely in use today.  Catachem created the DiscretePak™ and VetSpec™ line of reagents for human and veterinary automated analyzers.  Catachem offers FDA approved (510K) chemistries (liquid and dry) including enzymatic chemistries developed in conjunction with IFCC and CDC.  Catachem has more than 500 applications for all types of analyzers including the Roche™, Hitachi™, Olympus™, AU Series™, RA Series™, Opera™, DAX™, Bayer™, Advia™, Synchron™, Beckman™, Abbott™ and many other analyzers.  Corporate headquarters, research, custom formulation laboratories, and manufacturing are located in Bridgeport, Connecticut.  Catachem supplies leading laboratories and equipment manufacturers from distributors around the world. 

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the ``safe harbor'' provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the results of research and development efforts, the effect of regulation by the United States Food and Drug Administration and other agencies, the impact of competitive products, product development commercialization and technological difficulties, and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Keywords: Catachem, Chemistry, Reagents, In-Vitro Diagnostics, IVD, Glycated Hemoglobin, Glycohemoglobin, HbA1c, GHb1Ac, A1c

For more information contact:

Benjamin Twombly
Catachem, Inc.
70 Hawley Avenue
Bridgeport, CT
USA 06606
+1 (203) 335-9277 Office
+1 (203) 335-9977 FAX
bentwombly@aol.com
catachem@aol.com
www.catacheminc.com

Ref: C3006d

Catachem chemistries include: 5'-Nucleotidase (5NT), Adenosine Deaminase (ADA), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Albumin BCG (ALB), a-L-Fucosidase (AFU), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Ammonia (NH), Amylase (AMY), Aspartate Aminotransferase (ALP), β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), Bicarbonate (HC03), Bile Acids (BA), Bilirubin, Direct with Blank (DBILI), Bilirubin, Total with Blank (TBILI), Bilirubin, Total (TBILI), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Bromide (BR), CO2 [340] (CO2), CO2 [380] (CO2), CO2 [single reagent] (CO2), Ca+++ Arsenazo [650NM] (CA3), Chloride [340 NM] (CL), Cholesterol (CH), Creatine Kinase (CK), Creatinine (CREAT), Fructosamine [millimole method] (FR), Fructosamine, Glycated Serum Protein [enzymatic] (FR), Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT), Glucose Hexokinase (GLU), Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), High Density Lipoproteins, Dextran Sulfate (HDL), Inorganic Phosphorus (IP), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD), Lipase (LIP), Lithium [enzymatic] (LI), Magnesium (MG), N-Acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), Potassium [enzymatic] (K), Plasma Free Hemoglobin (PFH), Pre-albumin (TBPA), Sodium [enzymatic] (NA), Sorbitol Dehydrogenase (SDH), Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT), Total Bile Acids (TBA), Total Iron (TI), Total Protein (TP), Triglycerides (TRIG), UIBC and TIBC (UIBC), Uric Acid (UA), Vitamin B6 (V6B), Multipoint Calibrator Catacal, Catatrol Level 1 Catatrol Level 2, Bile Acids Control, Bile Acids Calibrator, BHBA Calibrator, BHBA Control Level 1, BHBA Control Level 2; Bromide Calibrator, BR Control Level 1, BR Control Level 2; Fructosamine Calibrator, FR Control Level 1, FR Control Level 2, SDH Control Level 1, SDH  Control Level 2.  Call +1 (203) 335-9277 or Write Catachem@aol.com.