Accelr8 Announces Continuation and Expansion of BACcel™ Development Collaboration

Accelr8 Technology Corporation AXK announced that Accelr8 and Novartis have extended their program agreement through September 30, 2011. Having reviewed new data, Novartis will now install a system in their own facility to expand development capacity. While this project proceeds, the companies will continue to negotiate and intend to agree upon business terms for a formal business relationship and definitive Business Agreement by September 30, 2011. The agreement also includes an option for Novartis to further extend project support through January 2, 2012. According to David Howson, Accelr8's president, “Novartis' decision to place a next-generation BACcel™ system into its own lab adds another independent team of microbiologists. We believe that this step reinforces our growing recognition in the medical community as uniquely providing complete, same-day automated diagnostics for ICU patients.”