Response to Emergence of Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., and GENEVA, March 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BD
(Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical
technology company, and FIND (Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics) today
announced an expanded collaboration toward improving the diagnosis of
tuberculosis (TB).
Building on their two-year relationship to improve access to diagnostics
in the developing world, BD and FIND formed this new collaboration in response
to the emergence in many countries of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis
(XDR-TB). In September of 2006, the World Health Organization issued an alert
about the threat of XDR-TB and called for the strengthening of TB control
worldwide. Rapid, accurate diagnosis of TB will reduce the time spent on
inappropriate and ineffective patient treatment, which can lead to further
drug resistance.
"The state of laboratories and lack of clear pathways for the successful
introduction of new diagnostic tools into the public health sectors remain
major obstacles to the uptake of new technology in many high-burden countries.
This is why we also need to focus on improving the laboratory infrastructure
in these regions to ensure the successful introduction of new diagnostic
tools," said FIND Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Giorgio Roscigno. "Our
longstanding relationship and new expanded collaboration with BD enable us to
address these core issues with even more vigor."
"For more than one hundred years, BD has been committed to tackling some
of the world's toughest healthcare challenges, and tuberculosis is a great
example," said Edward J. Ludwig, BD Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer. "BD is pleased to expand our work with FIND to address this growing
problem and to continue to fulfill our purpose of helping all people live
healthy lives."
Through cash and product donations, BD will support FIND's TB program to
help strengthen laboratory services in developing countries. BD's commitment
includes a cash donation of $100,000 and an in-kind product, training and
service donation of approximately $200,000 market value.
About XDR-TB
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in three people in
the world is infected with dormant TB germs (i.e. TB bacteria). Only when the
bacteria become active do people become ill with TB. Bacteria can become
active as a result of anything that reduces the person's immunity, such as
HIV, advancing age, or specific medical conditions. TB can usually be treated
with a course of four standard, or first-line, anti-TB drugs. If these drugs
are misused or mismanaged, multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB can develop. MDR-TB
takes longer to treat with second-line drugs, which are more expensive and
have more side-effects. XDR-TB can develop when these second-line drugs are
also misused or mismanaged and therefore become ineffective. XDR-TB is
defined as strains which are resistant to two of the most powerful front-line
drugs, as well as at least two key classes of second-line drugs. Because XDR-
TB is resistant to many of the first- and second-line drugs, treatment options
are seriously limited.
About FIND
The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) is a non-profit Swiss
foundation based in Geneva. Its purpose is to support and promote the health
of people in developing countries by sponsoring the development and
introduction of new but affordable diagnostic tools for poverty related
diseases. FIND's current donors include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,
USAID, the European Union and the Dutch Government. For more information:
www.finddiagnostics.org
About BD
BD, a leading global medical technology company that manufactures and
sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents, is dedicated to
improving people's health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving
drug therapy, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious
diseases, and advancing research and discovery of new drugs and vaccines. The
Company's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most
pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New
Jersey, BD employs approximately 27,000 people in approximately 50 countries
throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science
researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public.
SOURCE BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)
CONTACT: BD, Alyssa Zeff, +1-201-847-4358, Alyssa_Zeff@bd.com;
FIND, Jewel Thomas, Jewel.Thomas@finddiagnostics.org, +41-22-710-27-86/
Web site: http://www.bd.com
http://www.finddiagnostics.org /
(BDX)
