Saturday, 23 June 2012 Omega Diagnostics Group PLC has announced the
imminent launch of VISITECT® CD4, a ground-breaking point-of-care (POC)
disposable test for the detection of CD4 T-cell levels, aimed at reaching
HIV-positive patients across the globe. VISITECT® CD4, developed by the Burnet
Institute in Melbourne, Australia, is an affordable POC test that enables CD4
T-cell levels to be determined, quickly and conveniently, even in remote rural
areas in resource-poor countries. This easy-to-use, semi-quantitative
lateral flow test uses a finger-prick blood sample and produces a
straightforward visual result in just 40 minutes, enabling patients to receive
life-saving antiretroviral treatment before leaving the clinic. Minimal
training is required and no additional instruments are necessary, eliminating
the need for sophisticated equipment, expensive reagents and highly trained
personnel.Associate Professor David Anderson, Deputy Director of the Burnet
Institute and leader of the team that developed the test, added:
"According to UNAIDS, there are 15 million people who should be getting
access to antiretroviral therapy but aren't, just because they can't get access
to an affordable CD4 test in their communities. This test will provide access
for even the most remote and disadvantaged patients." Andrew Shepherd,
Founder and Chief Executive of Omega Diagnostics added: "This test
overcomes many of the limitations commonly associated with the traditional
technique of flow cytometry, offering a cost-effective means of obtaining
immediate CD4 results. Establishing when a patient should commence therapy will
improve health and help to reduce transmission of the virus, benefitting the
entire population."
About Omega Diagnostics Group PLCOmega Diagnostics Group PLC, based in
Scotland, UK, is a public company AIM listed on the London Stock Exchange
(Ticker Symbol: ODX). Formed in September 2006 when Omega Diagnostics Ltd
completed a reverse acquisition of the AIM listed cash shell company,
Quintessentially English PLC, the Group acquired Genesis Diagnostics Ltd and
Cambridge Nutritional Sciences Ltd in September 2007, with bacterial disease
diagnostic assay manufacturer Co-Tek (South West) Ltd joining the Group in
September 2009. The IVD division of allergy and specific immunotherapy
specialist Allergopharma Joachim Ganzer KG, a supplier of allergy tests for
over 600 allergens, was acquired in December 2010 and, more recently, in 2011
the Group established a wholly owned Indian subsidiary, Omega DX (Asia ) Pvt Ltd. Today, the Omega Diagnostics Group has a
strong distribution network in over 100 countries, providing a wide range of
high quality immunoassay-based products focused on the specialist fields of
allergy/autoimmune disease, infectious disease and food intolerance to the in
vitro diagnostics (IVD) market, for use in hospitals, blood banks, clinics and
laboratories.
About the Burnet Institute:The Burnet Institute is an Australian, not-for-profit,
unaligned and independent organisation that links medical research with public
health action, recognising that solutions to many of the major global health
problems require comprehensive and innovative responses. These include novel
discoveries, such as the development of new vaccines and diagnostic tests, and
the better use of existing best-practice health interventions.With an estimated
33 million people living with HIV and millions more affected by other
infectious diseases, the Burnet Institute is playing its part in trying to
improve the health of disadvantaged, poor or otherwise vulnerable communities.The
CD4 test has been developed to date with funding from The National Health and
Medical Research Council, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the CD4
Initiative (funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), the Burnet
Institute and the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund.
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