OraSure Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:OSUR), the market leader in oral fluid diagnostics, today announced its support of more than 150 rapid HIV testing initiatives taking place in more than 25 states in the U.S. and numerous countries globally, in recognition of World AIDS Day, commemorated annually on December 1st. OraSure's support of these initiatives, taking place in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, is focused on promoting increased HIV prevention and testing with the use of the Company's OraQuick® ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody test kits.
OraSure will also preside over the NASDAQ Market Open Ceremony on December 1st in observance of World AIDS Day and will be joined at this ceremony by New York State Assemblyman Darryl C. Towns and State Senator Tom Duane. The state legislators are expected to issue a proclamation on behalf of the State of New York honoring the late Dennis deLeon, the founder and former executive director of the Latino Commission on AIDS, and one of the primary champions of the recent New York State HIV testing law (S8227 and A.11487), which encourages routine HIV testing for all people aged 13 to 64.
Now in its 23rd year, World AIDS Day is an international day of observance to honor those who have died from AIDS and increase awareness of the disease in hopes of fighting the spread of HIV. According to UNAIDS, 33.3 million people worldwide were living with HIV in 2009. Worldwide, most people living with HIV are unaware that they are infected.
"We are proud to be part of such an important day that brings together people all over the world in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and hope that our work at OraSure to advance testing for infectious diseases like HIV, will help reverse the devastating impact that this disease has had around the world," said Douglas A. Michels, President and CEO of OraSure Technologies. "On this day we also pause to honor a great leader and friend to all in the HIV community, Dennis deLeon, who passed away nearly a year ago, and leaves a legacy of national service and advocacy on behalf of those affected by HIV and AIDS."
Committed to working with local, national and international agencies to fight HIV/AIDS, OraSure is actively supporting testing and education campaigns around the world that urge people to learn their HIV status.
The OraQuick ADVANCE® 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 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. The OraQuick® test is used by hospitals, state departments of health, clinics, community-based organizations, and college/university health centers throughout the country and around the world.
New two-dose HIV vaccine strategy shows promise for stronger immune response