WALTHAM, Mass., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc. , a leading provider of near-patient diagnostics, monitoring and health management solutions, has announced the introduction of its new 4th generation rapid HIV diagnostic test, the Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo, at the International AIDS conference (AIDS 2008) in Mexico City. The test will be introduced to the developing world during the third quarter, and in certain other markets during 2009.
What differentiates this test is that it is capable of detecting HIV infections earlier than HIV antibody only tests. The Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo is the first rapid diagnostic which enables simultaneous detection of HIV p24 antigen (Ag) and antibodies (Ab) for HIV-1 and HIV-2 in human serum, plasma or whole blood.
The p24 antigen is present during the first few weeks of HIV infection and can be identified before HIV antibodies are produced, making it an ideal marker to aid in early HIV detection. By targeting p24 antigen as well as the HIV antibody response, Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo improves the ability to detect and diagnose acute (early) HIV infection.
Identifying acute HIV infection is a matter of global health concern. It is estimated that a significant number of newly acquired HIV infections are transmitted by those acutely infected, most unaware of their HIV status.
The Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo is a rapid, point-of-care lateral flow test which provides clear visual results in 20-minutes. The simple to use format enables HIV testing to be conducted in a broad range of clinical settings, from the physician’s office to the most remote environments of the developing world.
Ron Zwanziger, Inverness’ Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response to our introduction of the Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo at AIDS 2008. We believe this product will make a significant contribution in the quest to identify early HIV infection and prevent further spread of the epidemic.”
The introduction of the Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo reflects the commitment by Inverness Medical Innovations to develop and bring to market innovative diagnostics to identify infectious disease.
By developing new capabilities in near-patient diagnosis, monitoring and health management, Inverness Medical Innovations enables individuals to take charge of improving their health and quality of life. A global leader in rapid point-of-care diagnostics, Inverness’ products, as well as its new product development efforts, focus on infectious disease, cardiology, oncology, drugs of abuse and women’s health. Inverness is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.
For more information about Inverness Medical Innovations, please visit our website at http://www.invernessmedical.com/.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding timing of the product release and benefits of the new product. These statements reflect Inverness’ current views with respect to future events and are based on its management’s current assumptions and information currently available. Actual results may differ materially due to numerous factors including, without limitation, risks associated with market acceptance of the product; Inverness’ ability to successfully manufacture and distribute the product; Inverness ability to secure and maintain the regulatory approvals or clearances necessary to sell the product in various markets; and the risks and uncertainties described in Inverness’ annual report on Form 10-K, and other factors identified from time to time in its periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Inverness undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein.
Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc.
CONTACT: Doug Guarino, Director of Corporate Relations of InvernessMedical Innovations, Inc., +1-781-647-3900
Web site: http://www.invernessmedical.com/
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