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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FILING NO. 1 FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, 2001
Visible Genetics Inc.
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(Exact name of Registrant)
700 Bay Street, Suite 1000, Toronto ON, Canada M5G 1Z6
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(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
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VISIBLE GENETICS INC.
On February 1, 2001, we announced that we have been granted
regulatory approval in Argentina for our TRUGENE(TM) HIV-1 Genotyping Kit and
OpenGene(TM) automated DNA sequencing system by the Administacion Nacional de
Medicamentos, Alimentos Y Tecnologia. Our OpenGene(TM) automated DNA
sequencing system and TRUGENE(TM) HIV-1 Genotyping Kit is the first complete
sequence based DNA system to be approved in the Argentine market for routine
clinical diagnostic use.
Our TRUGENE(TM) HIV-1 Genotyping Kit and related products are
distributed in Argentina by Werfen Medical S.A. Werfen is a major distributor of
medical diagnostic products in Argentina and one of the leading suppliers of HIV
viral load assays in that country. Werfen's Argentine customers include three of
the most important HIV centers in Argentina, each of which uses the VGI system:
the National Reference Center of AIDS, the Public Health Center of Rosario, and
the Fundacion Huesped. Currently there are approximately 15,000 patients
receiving HIV drug treatment in Argentina with the Ministry of Health paying for
all diagnostic tests and treatments.
This Form 6-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and
other factors which may cause our results to differ materially from
expectations. These include risks relating to the ability to obtain regulatory
approval, market acceptance of genotyping and our products, delays in, or the
refusal of, insurance companies and other third-party payors to reimburse us for
our products, delays in product development, delays in making our new Atlanta
manufacturing facility operational, and other risks detailed from time to time
in our SEC filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. We disclaim any
intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
We hereby incorporate by reference the text on this Form 6-K, but not
the Exhibit attached hereto, into our Registration Statements on Form F-3, and
into the prospectuses contained therein, (File Nos. 333-67607, 333-68939,
333-91155, 333-94649 and 333-40616) and our outstanding Registration Statements
on Form S-8 and into the reoffer prospectuses contained therein.
Exhibit 1. Press Release dated February 1, 2001
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
VISIBLE GENETICS INC.
Date: February 1, 2001 By: /s/ THOMAS CLARKE
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Name: Thomas Clarke
Title: Chief Financial Officer