AIDS Tests and Cytometers Sent to South Africa

The first tender in South Africa for CD4 AIDS monitoring tests and flow cytometers has been awarded. The first shipment, consisting of 80,000 tests, has already been delivered and flow cytometers are being installed.

The tender was awarded to Beckman Coulter, Inc. (Fullerton, CA, USA; www.beckmancoulter.com), as a result of the company's participation with the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation's program to supply HIV and AIDS-related products to certain developing countries. Beckman Coulter licensed the CD4 test from the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) in South Africa. The company anticipates shipping 300,000-400,000 CD4 tests between now and the end of the year, and as many as 15 million tests over the next five years. The partnership with the Clinton Foundation expedited Beckman Coulter's plans to deliver the monitoring tests to millions of individuals in poorly resourced countries.

"I applaud the Clinton Foundation for the progress they have made in their effort to assist the developing world in combating the AIDS crisis,” said Bonnie Anderson, vice president of Beckman Coulter's Translational Solutions business center. "With the issuance of this first tender and the delivery of the first order of tests and equipment, the program is well on its way to attacking this dreaded disease.”




Related Links:
Beckman Coulter