Rapid Oral HIV Test

An over-the-counter version of a rapid diagnostic test for HIV has been introduced.

Developed by Calypte Biomedical Corp. (Lake Oswego, OR, USA), the over-the-counter version of the Aware oral fluid HIV-1/2 test will be initially launched by the company in the United Arab Emirates, where the product has been registered, and then distributed throughout the Middle East, as additional registrations are obtained.

The test will be distributed by Joseph and Gionis (Newport Beach, CA, USA), Calypte's exclusive distributor for 22 Middle Eastern countries with around 465 million people. According to the December 2004 UNAIDS report, there are between 230,000 and 1.5 million adults and children living with HIV within this region, of which nearly half are women.

Calypte is focused on the development and commercialization of diagnostic testing products for the detection of sexually transmitted diseases. Jospeh and Gionis is a global biotechnology consulting and distribution firm, specializing in new scientific developments that contribute to public health and welfare.

"We believe that this product will add another tool to increase detection and combat the spread of HIV virus and that the combination of an over-the-counter product with safe, oral fluid detection is well-suited to reach the greatest number of individuals within the Middle Eastern countries,” stated Roger Gale, chairman and CEO of Calypte.




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