Axis-Shield plc is a pioneering organisation focused on the development and manufacturing of important in vitro diagnostic tests for use in clinical laboratories and at the point of care. In the laboratory sector we specialise in proprietary markers for diagnosis and management of critical illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and rheumatoid arthritis.   At the point of care our products include the NycoCard^® range and the state-of-the-art Afinion™ system. The company's shares are traded on the London and Oslo Stock Exchanges and the group comprises Laboratory Division in Dundee, a Point-of-Care Division in Oslo with a US operation in Norton, Mass., and local distribution subsidiaries in the UK (Axis-Shield UK), in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland (Medinor), Switzerland (Axis-Shield AG) and in Germany (Axis-Shield GmbH).