OPKO Health Receives Important U.S. Patent Allowance

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- OPKO Health, Inc. (NYSE:OPK) today announced the receipt of a patent allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the patent titled “Fluidic Connectors and Microfluidic Systems.” These allowed claims cover devices which enable the reliable long-term storage and eventual delivery of incompatible reagents on a microfluidic card allowing for the operation of the system by an untrained user. In addition, the claims encompass a failsafe mechanism for introduction and pre-treatment of a patient sample (such as finger-stick blood) into the microfluidic system. This advancement makes the OPKO point-of-care diagnostic system robust, stable and easy enough for anyone to use, all of which are critical differentiating attributes. The technology is well-suited for most bio-analytical assays such as immunoassays, DNA/RNA detection, general chemistry and hematology, while it simplifies steps such as filtering, mixing, and sample preparation as well as washing, amplification, and detection.

“These particular claims encompass important aspects of reagent storage and sample collection technology which make our point-of-care system tremendously easy-to-use,” said Phillip Frost, M.D., OPKO Chairman and CEO. “This technology is applicable to the large menu of tests we have under development at OPKO.”

About OPKO Health, Inc.

OPKO is a multi-national biopharmaceutical and diagnostics company that seeks to establish industry-leading positions in large and rapidly growing medical markets by leveraging its discovery, development and commercialization expertise and novel and proprietary technologies.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA), which statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "projects," "will," "may," "anticipates," "believes," "should," "intends," "estimates," and other words of similar meaning, including statements regarding the potential benefits of OPKO’s point-of-care diagnostic technology, whether a patent for the technology will issue based on the notice of allowance, our ability to successfully develop tests utilizing the technology, the ability to differentiate our product from those of competitors, and the suitability and ease of use of our product for the point-of care markets, as well as other non-historical statements about our expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding our business, technologies and products, financial condition, strategies or prospects. Many factors could cause our actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward-looking statements. These factors include those described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and risks inherent in funding, developing and obtaining regulatory approvals of new, commercially-viable and competitive products and treatments. In addition, forward-looking statements may also be adversely affected by general market factors, competitive product development, product availability, federal and state regulations and legislation, the regulatory process for new products and indications, manufacturing issues that may arise, patent positions and litigation, among other factors. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA.

OPKO Health, Inc.
Steve Rubin, 305-575-4100

Source: OPKO Health, Inc

Released April 25, 2012