OraSure Technologies Donates OraQuick ADVANCE(R) Rapid HIV-1/2 Tests in Honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
BETHLEHEM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 6, 2007--OraSure Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSUR), the market leader in oral fluid diagnostics, today announced that, in an effort to encourage rapid HIV testing for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), it has donated OraQuick ADVANCE(R) Rapid HIV-1/2 Tests to more than 20 community-based organizations and testing sites across the country. The tests will be utilized by these locations to conduct free HIV testing in observance of NBHAAD on February 7, 2007.
February 7, 2007 is the seventh annual observance of NBHAAD, a national mobilization effort that is designed to build the capacity and increase awareness, participation and support for HIV prevention, care and treatment among African Americans. The primary goal of NBHAAD is to motivate African Americans to get tested and know their HIV status; get educated about the transmission modes of HIV/AIDS; get involved in their local community; and get treated if they are currently living with HIV or are newly diagnosed.
"OraSure is honored to be working hand-in-hand with dedicated organizations across the country for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, with the shared vision and mission of helping to help stem the spread of HIV," said Douglas A. Michels, President and Chief Executive Officer of OraSure Technologies. "We hope that our donation of OraQuick ADVANCE(R) tests will enable thousands of individuals nationwide to get tested and learn their HIV results in just 20 minutes. We will continue to work in partnership with local, state and national agencies to help make this happen."
The OraQuick ADVANCE(R) Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test, manufactured and sold by OraSure Technologies, is the first and only U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") approved and CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments Act of 1988) waived rapid point-of-care test that can detect antibodies to both HIV-1 and HIV-2 in 20 minutes, using oral fluid, finger-stick or venipuncture whole blood and plasma specimens.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV/AIDS continues to be a leading cause of death among African Americans in the United States. In 2005, African Americans accounted for 22,030 (50 percent) of the estimated 44,198 AIDS cases diagnosed in the United States.
NBHAAD is directed, planned and organized by the Strategic Leadership Council, which partners with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to mobilize communities and address specific issues regarding local epidemics and best practices that are science based and will influence the course of HIV in Black communities across the country.
About OraSure Technologies
OraSure Technologies develops, manufactures and markets oral fluid specimen collection devices using proprietary oral fluid technologies, diagnostic products including immunoassays and other in vitro diagnostic tests, and other medical devices. These products are sold in the United States as well as internationally to various clinical laboratories, hospitals, clinics, community-based organizations and other public health organizations, distributors, government agencies, physicians' offices, and commercial and industrial entities.
In addition, OraSure sells products for the cryosurgical removal of common and plantar warts in the over-the-counter or retail market in the United States, Canada, certain European countries, Australia and New Zealand, and a product for the cryosurgical removal of common and plantar warts and several other benign skin lesions to the professional or physician office market in the United States and many foreign countries. For more information on the Company, please go to http://www.orasure.com.
CONTACT: OraSure Technologies, Inc.
Investor Relations contact:
Ronald H. Spair, 610-882-1820
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www.orasure.com
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SOURCE: OraSure Technologies, Inc.
