Santi & C expands use of Warnex's Food Safety Technology

30/06/05 Warnex Inc. has announced that Santi & C. S.P.A., one of the world's largest manufacturers of Gorgonzola cheese, which purchased the Warnex(TM) Rapid Pathogen Detection System in late 2004, has now completed the validation and intends to proceed with broad implementation of the Warnex system in its production facilities. Santi & C. purchased the Warnex system through Warnex's distributor Foss Italia.

Santi & C. uses the Warnex system to test for the presence of Salmonella and Listeria in their products.

Santi & C. is a dairy company located in Cameri, Italy, specializing in the production of Gorgonzola cheese with experience spanning four generations. The company employs 115 people and has facilities covering 10,000 square meters, with plans to expand to 30,000 square meters. In 2003, Santi & C. had revenues of 25 million Euros, selling to major Italian and international supermarket chains.

The Warnex Rapid Pathogen Detection System uses cutting-edge DNA-based technology to rapidly and accurately determine the presence of pathogens in a food sample. The system allows for the simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens and processing of samples within 12 to 48 hours, a significant improvement over traditional microbiology tests that currently require 5 to 7 days.

Warnex is a publicly traded Canadian biotechnology company devoted to protecting public health by providing advanced diagnostic and quality control products and services to the pharmaceutical, agri-food, and healthcare sectors. Warnex's genomics-based technology offers a versatile detection platform that produces accurate results rapidly, using Real-Time PCR technology combined with unique genetic markers and software. Applications range from pathogen detection in foods to GMO testing. Our development pipeline includes applications in the detection of viruses, toxins, GMOs, yeasts, and molds, as well as meat speciation and bioterrorism. Warnex's profitable and growing analytical, bioanalytical, and clinical service groups offer a variety of quality control services, method development and validation, contract R&D, bioavailability and bioequivalence studies for clinical trials, and medical laboratory testing.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2005/29/c6841.html