DNA tests from STADA and humatrix ensure safe and efficient therapies

Bad Vilbel, April 16, 2013 –

STADA is entering the personalized drug therapy business and is thereby developing a new product field. An exclusive distribution agreement has been concluded with the Frankfurt biotechnology company humatrix AG. Under the name "STADA Diagnostik" STADA will subsequently market a range of DNA tests that offer patients greater treatment safety with regard to the correct choice of medication for their illness. With these special tests an optimal drug therapy will be made available to the patients as early as possible.

The tests on individual tolerability and effectiveness of three pharmaceutical products and categories of active ingredients – Tamoxifen for the treatment of breast cancer, statins for reducing an elevated cholesterol level and Clopidogrel for protection in case of an increased risk of heart attack and thrombosis – will be available throughout Germany at selected pharmacies in the coming weeks. In the medium term, patients will be provided with easy access to the tests nationwide. "We know today, for example, that for some patients treated with Tamoxifen, the active ingredient can not be metabolized by the body or only to a small extent. DNA tests can show this before the start of the therapy. The doctor can thereby select the most effective therapy program for the patient from the start" explains Lothar Guske, Managing Director of STADA Medical and responsible for the new product line "STADA Diagnostik".

"We are convinced that the future lies in this area. This is because personalized drug therapy allows for more effective treatment for the parties concerned and thereby increased acceptance and a more reliable application by the patients", says Guske.

For entry in the new area, STADA has gained a partner in humatrix, that has a high level of expertise and many years of experience in the development and application of the tests. This so-called stratified drug therapy which forms the basis of the humatrix molecular diagnostic tests follows the current trend of personalized medicine. "Each of our tests meets the demand of helping the treating doctor to identify the optimal therapy for the patients" says Dr. Anna Carina Eichhorn, CEO of humatrix AG.

The innovative biotechnology company from Frankfurt and the internationally active health care group are thereby making DNA tests available to the general public for the first time. The patient can purchase the laboratory service directly in the pharmacy. The taking of blood for the analysis as well as the consultation on the test results and the corresponding appropriate therapy take place at the doctor’s surgery.

About STADA
STADA Medical GmbH is a company of the STADA Group. STADA Arzneimittel AG is a publicly-listed company with headquarters in Bad Vilbel, Germany. STADA consistently focuses on a multi-pillar strategy of generics and branded products (OTC) with an increasingly international market orientation. The Group is the only independent generics producer in Germany. Worldwide, STADA is one of the five leading companies in the generics industry and is represented in more than 30 countries with approximately 50 subsidiaries. Branded products such as Mobilat, Grippostad and Ladival are among the highest selling in their product category in Germany. In financial year 2012, STADA achieved Group sales of Euro 1,837.5 million, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of Euro 367.5 million and adjusted net income of Euro 147.9 million. As of December 31, 2012, STADA employed 7,761 people worldwide.

About humatrix AG
humatrix AG is a biotechnology company that specializes in the analysis of human DNA. humatrix has been a leader in the area of private parentage testing for many years and has set high standards. Currently the company's focus is on the area of personalized medicine. Here the company provides preventative DNA diagnostics for improving the quality of life in cooperation with medical practices and pharmacies. For this reason they have developed a test system for avoiding ineffectiveness and side effects of medical therapies.

For more information, please contact:

STADA Arzneimittel AG
Corporate Communications
D-61118 Bad Vilbel
Tel.: +49 6101 603-165
Fax: +49 6101 603-506
e-mail: communications@stada.de