Press Information

AXIS-SHIELD NAMED VENDOR OF THE YEAR BY PSS IN USA 

Dundee, Scotland, Oct 5, 2009: Axis-Shield plc (LSE:ASD, OSE:ASD), the international in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) company, today announces that it has been named 'Vendor of the Year' by PSS (Physician Sales & Service® ), the largest distributor of medical supplies and services to office-based physicians in the United States. PSS is the exclusive distributor of the Afinion™ Point-of-Care System in this important American market, in conjunction with Abbott Diagnostics. Demand for the award-winning Afinion™ system, with its ease-of-use and accuracy, continues to grow, especially in the physicians' office. PSS distributes products from over 1,000 different suppliers, including most of the main IVD manufacturers. The award recognises the following achievements:

• Revenue growth of over $1 million compared to last year 
• Developing and supporting products and programmes designed to innovate and differentiate customer solutions delivered by Axis-Shield and PSS
• Creating quality products and providing quality field support
• Mirroring the PSS philosophy of cherishing the mutual customer

Ian Gilham, Axis-Shield CEO, commented: 'This prestigious award reflects the excellent qualities of the Afinion™ system and the superior combination of products, services, and support delivered through the strong relationship of PSS and Axis-Shield's  U.S. representatives. We are honoured to receive this award and to have such a strong and committed partner as PSS for Afinion™ in this very important marketplace.'

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About Axis-Shield

Axis-Shield is an international in vitro diagnostics company, headquartered in Dundee with R&D and manufacturing bases in Dundee and Oslo. The Group specialises in the supply of instruments and tests for the rapidly growing physician's office testing market and the development, manufacture and marketing of innovative proprietary diagnostics kits in areas of clinical need, including cardiovascular and neurological diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. 

For more information on Axis-Shield, please refer to www.axis-shield.com

About PSS

PSS World Medical, Inc. is a national distributor of medical products to physicians and elder care providers through its two business units. Since its inception in 1983, PSS has become a leader in the two market segments that it serves with a focused market approach to customer services, a consultative sales force, strategic acquisitions, strong arrangements with product manufacturers and a unique culture of performance. 

For more information on PSS, please refer to www.pssd.com