Biohit Oyj Press Release November 16, 2016 at 09:30 am local time (EET)
Biohit Oyj and R-kioski start cooperation. R-kioski will sell and promote the gift cards for Biohit’s health checks for its consumers in R-kioski convenience stores across Finland. The agreement will enter into force immediately and will start with a launch during December 2016.
The gift cards entitle the purchaser to the following tests or test sets of the Biohit service laboratory:
· Stomach health test GastroPanel®
· Vitamin tests, including vitamin D and active vitamin B12 measurement
· Stomach health test + vitamin tests + celiac disease quick test
Biohit’s unique GastroPanel® stomach health test detects not only helicobacter infection but also the stomach mucosal atrophy (atrophic gastritis), which is caused by helicobacter infection or autoimmune disease and results in acid-free stomach (1, 2). Widely used helicobacter tests, such as 13C urea breath test, cannot detect atrophic gastritis (3), which is associated with an increased risk for stomach and esophageal cancer as well as malabsorption of vitamin B12, calcium and iron. Vitamin D test reveals vitamin D deficiency, which, in combination with malabsorption of calcium, predisposes to osteoporosis, i.e., bone fragility and fractures. Active vitamin B12 measurement detects vitamin B12 deficiency, which in most cases is asymptomatic and is the most important sequel of atrophic gastritis. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause e.g. memory disorders, depression and dementia (1). Celiac disease, a not uncommon autoimmune disease, can be diagnosed with Biohit's quick test. Celiac disease and other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, thyroiditis and rheumatoid arthritis, are often associated with autoimmune atrophic gastritis, which can be readily detected by the GastroPanel® test.
The gift card can be used at Biohit Laboratory services (appointments: 0400 603 222 on weekdays at 9 am – 3 pm) and in special health check events organized by Biohit across Finland. The appointment can be booked in the following address: www.biohit.fi/varaaverkossa
CEO Teemu Rissanen, R-kioski Oy: ‘R-kioski is a pioneer in providing services to customers. This new opening is linked seamlessly to the R-kioski’s growing service repertoire and also responds to customer´s need.’
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oy: ‘In the future, health checks for digestive tract can be reached even more easily, as the gift cards will be available in R-kioski stores across Finland.‘
Additional information:
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj
tel. +358 9 773 861
investor.relations@biohit.fi
www.biohithealthcare.com
www.biohit.fi/lahjakortti (available only in Finnish)
www.biohit.fi/varaaverkossa
1. www.biohithealthcare.com/additional-information
2. www.gastropanel.com/decision-makers/screening-model
3. http://www.biohithealthcare.com/limitations-of-helicobacter-pylori-diagnostics
Biohit in brief
Biohit Oyj is a globally operating Finnish biotechnology company. Biohit mission is “Innovating for Health” – we produce innovative products and services to promote research and early diagnosis. Biohit is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, and has subsidiaries in Italy and the UK. Biohit Series B share (BIOBV) is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki in the Small cap/Healthcare group. www.biohithealthcare.com
R-kioski Oy in brief
R-kioski is a profitable trader-driven kiosk chain, which offers its customers a wide range of entertainment, excitement and pleasure, as well as important everyday products and services - quickly and comfortably from dawn to dusk. R-kioski is part of Reitan Convenience company belonging to the Reitan Group. It has nationwide coverage with approximately 615 stores. R-kioski brand awareness is 98%. Reitan Convenience company comprises of R-kioski in Finland, Narvesen in Norway and Latvia, Pressbyrån in Sweden, 7-Eleven and Shell/7-Eleven in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, R-kiosk in Estonia and Lietuvos Spauda in Lithuania. Reitan Convenience is market leader in each of its operating countries. In 2015, Reitan Convenience net sales totalled EUR 1.6 billion and the number of stores was 2 400. In 2015, Reitan Group's net sales totalled EUR 9.0 billion and the number of personnel was 36 000.