new product contract us military

8th November 2004
ASX ANNOUNCEMENT
Cellestis Awarded Contract by the US Military to Develop a QuantiFERON
Leishmaniasis Diagnostic
Cellestis Limited (“the Company”) has today been advised by the US Army that it has
been awarded a contract for the development of an advanced Leishmania diagnostic.
Providing agreed milestones are met, Cellestis will receive in excess of
US$1,000,000 in project support payments to develop the new test. The project,
which runs over a two year period, covers the development, clinical trials and
regulatory approval for the new test.
Leishmaniasis, also known as Kala-Azar, is a parasite infection endemic in many
countries in the Middle-east, Africa, and South America. Rapid diagnosis of
Leishmania infection in its early stages is currently difficult. The purpose of the
contract is to develop a simple, QuantiFERON blood test that detects cellular
immune responses that occur in a subject soon after being infected with the parasite.
The test will allow early identification of those infected and at risk of developing
Leishmaniasis disease.
If the project is successful and a test is developed and approved, Cellestis will be
able to provide product for the US Military and other users.
For information on Leishmaniasis, and its effect in the US military, the following
websites may prove useful:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/le..._leishmania.htm
http://www.geis.fhp.osd.mil/GEIS/IDTopics/...myInfoPaper.asp