Biohit reconsiders stance on diagnostics unit spin-off

Biohit has announced that it will no longer be proceeding with plans to spin off its diagnostics business in the immediate future.

The company has confirmed it will be withdrawing from this strategy until further notice as part of changes to the business unit's management that are designed to enhance its operational efficiency.

Biohit has decided to merge the management of diagnostics and liquid handling sales and marketing units to achieve this goal, with the latter division's director Jukka-Pekka Haapalahti set to take charge of this process.

In addition, diagnostics business head Yrjo Wichmann has left the company by mutual consent on December 31st 2010.

Biohit expressed confidence in the "vast experience" of Mr Haapalahti in executing these objectives, citing his past history in charge of sales and marketing functions for Roche Diagnostics.

In October 2010, the company expanded its service laboratory offering by providing new assays for measuring quantities of the carcinogenic substance acetaldehyde in consumable goods.