CDC Buys $2.3M of OraQuick HIV Test

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will purchase approximately $2.3 million of OraSure Technologies’ OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Tests.

Bethlehem, PA-based OraSure Technologies, a maker of oral fluid diagnostics, said the sale is expected to be completed by Sept. 30.

The OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test is the first 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. The test uses oral fluid, finger-stick or venipuncture whole blood and plasma specimens.

“We believe our OraQuick Advance test is the most versatile and comprehensive rapid HIV test available, and OraSure is committed to working with the CDC and other government and state agencies to implement rapid HIV testing on a large scale across the country,” said OraSure Technologies CEO Douglas A. Michels.

In addition to the sale, OraSure expects total revenues for 2005 to increase by 25% to approximately $67.5 million.