hologic acquires thirdwave for 600 million, page-3

Red,

TWT's technology is based on its Invader Chemistry, GBI's is based on Solid Phase PCR.

Hologic stated in its analyst briefing re the acquisitiion that it was attracted to TWT because it believes that TWT's HPV test is best of breed due to

(1) the ability to genotype
(2) low sample volume required reducing Quality Not Sufficient (QNS) issues by 80%
(3) higher specificity due to an internal control
(4) quicker and less handling steps hence less labour intensive
(5) ability to automate

PapType also has all of the above attributes plus its test is a high risk HPV screening test as well as genotyping all 14 high risk strains all in a single test. This is highly attractive to both path labs and physicians.

According to GBI's IPO broker presentation it should be in a position to lodge its PMA filing for PapType in late 2010.

GBI should be well into profitability by then as well via its IUO sales to Sonic.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a player like Becton Dickinson have a crack at GBI before then.

cheers