Press Release: Pihlajalinna and ArcDia Sign Long-Term Framework Agreement on Respiratory Infection Diagnostics

Turku and Helsinki, March 5, 2026 – Healthcare service provider Pihlajalinna and leading Finnish
diagnostics manufacturer ArcDia Ltd have signed a long-term agreement under which Pihlajalinna
will implement ArcDia’s mariPOC® testing systems for rapid respiratory infection diagnostics. The
mariPOC® tests enable accurate, high-quality identification of respiratory pathogens directly at
the point of sample collection.

Respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and influenza cannot be reliably diagnosed based on
symptoms alone; accurate clinical diagnosis requires the use of diagnostic laboratory testing.
Ideally, test results should be available shortly after sample collection to enable physicians to
initiate appropriate treatment without delay. This is best achieved when testing is performed at the
same location where the sample is taken. ArcDia’s mariPOC® system has been developed
specifically to meet this clinical need.

”ArcDia’s mariPOC® complements Pihlajalinna’s already comprehensive point-of-care testing
portfolio and strengthens the care pathway for infection patients by providing rapid, clinically
reliable results that enable timely treatment.”

‒ Mikko Laiho, Service Owner, Laboratory Services, Pihlajalinna

With the mariPOC® tests deployed at Pihlajalinna, up to 11 respiratory pathogens can be identified
from a single nasopharyngeal sample. In cases of suspected streptococcal pharyngitis, throat
samples can differentiate bacterial Group A Streptococcus infection from adenovirus infection.
Most results from the mariPOC® system are typically available within approximately 30 minutes,
and all negative confirmations are provided within two hours.

Pihlajalinna has introduced the mariPOC® service at several of its locations, including Dextra
Munkkivuori in Helsinki, Koskiklinikka in Tampere, and clinics in central Turku and Kupittaa.

Rapid Testing Delivers the Greatest Clinical Benefit

Scientific evidence shows that the greatest clinical benefit is achieved when patients with suspected
infection are tested with a pathogen-identifying assay as early as possible after symptom onset.
Early and accurate identification allows physicians to prescribe appropriate treatment and
medication without delay.

Timely antimicrobial therapy can reduce symptom severity, shorten disease duration, and decrease
transmissibility. At the same time, the likelihood of serious complications is reduced. When a viral
pathogen is identified, unnecessary antibiotic treatment can often be avoided. Inappropriate
antibiotic use weakens the body’s normal microbiota and contributes to the emergence of
antimicrobial resistance. It is well established that early pathogen identification effectively reduces
unintended transmission.

mariPOC® Is a Finnish Innovation

The mariPOC® system is the market leader in Finland and is widely used in private healthcare clinics
and emergency departments. It is based on laser technology developed and manufactured in
Finland and supported by a strong scientific foundation. ArcDia’s technology has been the subject of
hundreds of scientific publications and seven doctoral dissertations, the most recent of which was
examined at the University of Turku in January 2026 (https://www.utupub.fi/handle/10024/194867).

”The doctoral dissertation examined at the University of Turku in January 2026 demonstrates that
an antigen-based rapid test performed at the point of sample collection is the most accurate and
efficient method to support physicians in making the correct diagnosis and treatment decision. The
implementation of mariPOC® testing at Pihlajalinna is part of a broader trend in which, following the
COVID-19 pandemic, acute infection diagnostics are shifting from genetic PCR-based testing toward
antigen-based testing.”

”The pandemic and tightening medical device regulations have significantly transformed diagnostic
product supply chains. As a result, ArcDia Ltd is now the only domestic company in Finland
developing and manufacturing products for respiratory infection diagnostics. This has positioned
ArcDia as a critical contributor to national security of supply.”

‒ Janne O. Koskinen, CEO, ArcDia Ltd

Additional Information:
ArcDia Ltd
Janne Koskinen, CEO
Email: janne.koskinen[at]arcdia.com

Pihlajalinna
Sanna Lahtonen, PR Manager
Email: sanna.lahtonen[at]pihlajalinna.fi

About ArcDia International Ltd

ArcDia International Ltd develops, manufactures, and markets automated diagnostic test systems and
services for infectious diseases for global markets. The company was founded in 2008. Its next-generation
technology platform enables central-laboratory-level accuracy, quality, and test menu breadth in rapid
diagnostics. The company’s quality management system is ISO 13485 certified.

mariPOC® is an automated CE-marked diagnostic testing system designed for rapid identification of acute infectious diseases at the point-of-care. This significantly accelerates the availability of results for clinical decision-making. The system detects the most clinically relevant respiratory, pharyngeal, and gastrointestinal pathogens, with results available in as little as 20 minutes and no later than two hours. The automated mariPOC® rapid test is currently in use at 50 healthcare sites in Finland, particularly within the private healthcare sector. The tests can identify up to 11 pathogens from a single sample, increasing the likelihood that the correct cause of symptoms is determined at the first visit.

The clinical performance of mariPOC® tests has been demonstrated in numerous peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals. Test results are automatically and anonymously transferred to ArcDia’s mariCloud™ cloud service, which provides real-time epidemiological insights to healthcare professionals and public authorities in Finland.

mariPOC® is the Finnish market leader in automated rapid testing and epidemiological surveillance of respiratory infections. The system is known for its ease of use, high accuracy, and reliability. mariPOC® is based on patented technology developed in Finland, and the tests are manufactured domestically.

For more information: https://www.arcdia.com/maripoc/