GOVERNOR RILEY'S MISSION TO CHINA CONCLUDES WITH BIOTECH AGREEMENT

DATELINE: NANJING, CHINA


The following information was released by the office of the Alabama Governor Bob Riley:


Governor Bob Riley concluded the China portion of his 11-day, three-nation economic development mission with an agreement enabling a Huntsville biotechnology company to provide access to its molecular testing product to two local hospitals.



According to the agreement, two private hospitals totaling 1,500 beds in China's Jiangsu province will acquire Huntsville-based Genaco Biomedical Products "Templex" technology, which can quickly detect all known avian flu strains as well as other bacteria and viruses that cause respiratory infections.



"Templex is a technology like a CAT scan for infectious disease," said Dr. Jian Han, Chief Scientific Officer and founder of Genaco, who is traveling with Governor Riley in China. "It allows the detection of 10 or 20 different bacteria and viruses that can cause the same clinical symptoms. Such 'one test, know it all' technology can significantly improve healthcare quality and may also become a frontline defense against international public health crises such as SARS and avian flu."



Governor Riley called the agreement another step forward for Alabama's growing biotechnology industry.



"This is an example of how Alabama's biotech industry is making revolutionary advancements and innovations in health care and life sciences," Governor Riley said. "Alabama is becoming known around the world as an emerging leader in biotech. This growth industry offers amazing new opportunities to strengthen our economy and improve our overall quality of life."



Genaco has developed an influenza typing test that not only detects the deadly H5N1 strain of avian flu virus, but also differentiates it from regular seasonal flu virus and other pathogens that causing the same respiratory symptoms. The Genaco test was previously used in China to identify 14 human H5N1 infections.



Genaco started to develop this test almost two years ago. "Because we have such a head start, we may become the first FDA-approved commercial test for avian flu typing," Dr. Han said.


Genaco was founded by Dr. Han as an Alabama corporation in 1996. Dr. Han is a native of China and a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.



"It is an America Dream realized in Alabama," Dr. Han said. "I came to Alabama after graduating from Suzhou Medical College in Jiangsu province. My father borrowed money to buy the airline ticket and I had $100 in my pocket when I arrived in Birmingham to study at UAB for a Ph.D. in Medical Genetics. Now Genaco is a vibrate biotechnology company with 18 employees, an award winning technology and very impressive product line. The company will become a part of the Hudson-Alpha Biotechnology Research Institute."



Governor Riley departs China on Thursday morning for Seoul, South Korea, the second leg of his economic development mission. In South Korea, the Governor will be meeting with potential suppliers for the new Kia plant. The final portion of the journey takes Governor Riley to the United Kingdom, where the focus will be on aviation and aerospace business opportunities.