Bio-Rad Laboratories Receives FDA Approval for Rapid HIV Test That Distinguishes Between HIV-1, HIV-2

on Tuesday announced that it has received FDA approval for its single-use rapid HIV test kit, AP/Yahoo! News reports. The test, which the company plans to begin marketing in the United States later this month, is the first test that distinguishes between the HIV-1 and HIV-2 viruses to receive FDA approval, according to the company. HIV-1 is the most common type of the virus (AP/Yahoo! News, 1/4). The test can be used on fresh and frozen serum and plasma samples and produces results in about 10 minutes, according to the company, Reuters reports (Reuters, 1/4). John Goetz, Bio-Rad vice president and group manager of clinical diagnostics, said, "We are pleased to receive FDA approval and look forward to providing the product to our U.S. customers in January 2005" (Bio-Rad release, 1/4).

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