OraSure in the News
2009 - 2010
A routine dental cleaning now may come with an unexpected option: an HIV test. Some dental locations, especially in New York City, are offering HIV screenings to patients through a fast and inexpensive oral test.
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Debra Fraser-Howze, founder of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS and Vice President of Government and External Affairs for OraSure Technologies, is on a mission to raise awareness and lower infection rates in the African-American community. She is using her health care community experience and her corporate world connections to make moves.
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Ms. Debra Fraser-Howze has been in fighting HIV/AIDS for 27 years. She founded the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS in 1987, which is the oldest and largest non-profit of its kind in the U.S. She is currently the Vice President of Government and External Affairs for OraSure Technologies.
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"Don't forget to floss" may soon be followed by "and don't forget to wear a condom," as dentists and clinics have started to administer state-of-the-art saliva tests that can detect HIV in minutes.
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Test maker OraSure Technologies Inc. said Tuesday it moved a step closer to selling its hepatitis C test in the European Union. The Bethlehem, Pa., company received approval to affix a CE mark to its OraQuick Rapid HCV Antibody Test.
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OraSure Technologies Inc. has received regulatory approval from the European Union to sell a rapid test that detects Hepatitis C. The company said today the approval marks the first such test available in the 27 countries that make up the EU. OraSure shares rose on the news.
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OraSure Technologies Inc. has received regulatory approval from the European Union to sell a rapid test that detects Hepatitis C. The company said today the approval marks the first such test available in the 27 countries that make up the EU. OraSure shares rose on the news.
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OraSure Technologies announced today that it has received approval to affix the CE mark to its OraQuick(R) Rapid HCV Antibody Test. A CE mark is required to sell this test in the 27 countries that currently make up the European Union.
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According to the latest figures of the United Nations Organisation UNAIDS, more than 33 million people worldwide are currently living with HIV and AIDS. Since it can take up to ten years before the outbreak of the disease, early testing can be a life saving factor.
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After receiving a National Medical Association award for her work fighting HIV/AIDS in the African-American community, Debra Fraser-Howze speaks about today's challenges (misinformation), priorities (testing) and promises (over-the-counter HIV tests) in fighting the virus.
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There are women warriors fighting on the frontlines against HIV/AIDS in our community. Debra Fraser-Howze has been on active duty for the past 27 years, all while raising two successful and accomplished daughters, and founding the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA) in 1987, the nation’s largest, non-profit organization of its kind that’s still advocating on our behalf today.
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After receiving a National Medical Association award for her work fighting HIV/AIDS in the African-American community, Debra Fraser-Howze speaks about today's challenges (misinformation), priorities (testing) and promises (over-the-counter HIV tests) in fighting the virus.
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Despite the tough economy, OraSure Technologies employees doubled holiday donations to the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley for its 10th Annual Lehigh Valley 'Holiday Hope Chest' Project to a record quantity of 300 – that translates to more than one donated Chest per employee. OraSure's employees who generously gave their personal time and effort to the project which included purchasing toys, securing empty shoe boxes and gift wrapping each individual package.
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People around the world are coming together to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS today as we observe World AIDS Day. It's estimated that about 33 million people around the globe live with HIV or AIDS, but how are we doing in the local fight? Kristen Wenrich, Community Health Risk Behaviors Manager at the Bethlehem Health Bureau, and Ron Ticho, from OraSure Technologies in Bethlehem, stopped by 69 News at Sunrise to give us a "report card."
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Watch part II (Advancements in Testing)
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With the emergence of oral fluid-based screening for HIV, Dr. Catrise Austin, CEO of VIP Smiles, realized that it made sense to do HIV screening in the dental office setting. Dr. Austin has a long-standing interest in HIV, and is concerned that HIV statistics don't seem to be improving. She started offering an HIV screening test in her office earlier this year – and since insurance doesn't cover the test, she's providing it for free.
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Miss Universe takes the OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test to draw attention to the critical role of HIV testing and prevention education play in stemming the spread of AIDS on World AIDS Day.
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Orasure Technologies, the Bethlehem maker of the OraQuick HIV test and other medical products, has announced a meeting with a government advisory committee regarding one of its proposed products.
The company met Tuesday with the Blood Products Advisory Committee, which advises the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the safety and effectiveness of products. Orasure met with the agency regarding its proposed over-the-counter HIV test kits, which would allow people to test themselves for HIV in their homes.
Orasure is seeking regulatory approval to sell its OraQuick HIV test over the counter. The device is currently approved for use by clinics and hospitals. The company expects the annual U.S. market for an over-the-counter HIV test kit could exceed $500 million.
Orasure officials said Tuesday's meeting helped clarify which clinical studies are needed to get the product approved.
Orasure employs about 300 people, mostly in Bethlehem.
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OraSure Technologies met Tuesday with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to push plans to sell a rapid HIV test over the counter.
The Bethlehem diagnostics company said in a news release it shared clinical results with the FDA. OraSure said the meeting was productive, and it plans further talks with the FDA's blood products advisory committee in efforts to gain approval.
OraSure makes OraQuick, a test that can detect the HIV virus within 20 minutes through oral or blood samples. It is now available in hospital and lab settings but not over the counter.
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This summer the Veterans Health Administration mandated that HIV testing be offered as part of routine medical care that is provided to all veterans. HealthBusinessBlog's editor David Williams spoke recently with Dr. Henry Anaya, an HIV/AIDS researcher at the VA in Los Angeles to get his perspective on the rationale for the program, how it's being rolled out, and the expected impact.
Mr. Williams focused on rapid oral testing for HIV that enables the patient to receive his or her result during the same appointment where they're tested. The big advantage of that is that it radically reduces the number of patients lost to follow-up.
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OraSure Technologies, the Bethlehem maker of tests for HIV and other medical products, reported its first quarterly profit this year due to strong sales growth. But the company still expects to end 2009 in the red.
The company on Wednesday reported third-quarter earnings of $1.8 million, or 4 cents per share, which compares with a loss of $1.8 million, or 4 cents per share in the same period a year ago.
Orasure saw a boost in sales by clearing a $2.2 million order backlog created by manufacturing difficulties in the second quarter that have since been fixed. Sales of the company's leading product, the OraQuick HIV test, were down in the second quarter due to the manufacturing problems.
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Bethlehem- OraSure Technologies Inc. has swung to a quarterly profit on rising revenue.
The local diagnostics company said Wednesday it earned $1.8 million, or 4 cents a share, in the third quarter. That's up from a loss of about the same amount in the year-ago quarter.
OraSure said revenue rose 28 percent to $21.6 million, up from $16.9 million in the third quarter of 2008.
OraSure said revenue gains reflected double-digit sales growth among its infectious-disease products, which includes OraQuick, a rapid HIV test, as well as cryosurgical systems and insurance-risk-assessment testing products.
The South Bethlehem company said those increases helped offset lower sales in its substance-abuse testing products. Shares of OraSure closed regular-hours trading at $3.31 on the Nasdaq, about the midpoint of its 52-week range.
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Dr. Catrise Austin, a dentist in New York City, recognized the importance of HIV testing and the knowledge that comes with a diagnosis of HIV. She introduced the OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody test to her dental practice, VIP Smiles, and was happy to answer my questions about a dentists role in HIV testing.
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Since November 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has considered the possibility of an over-the-counter (OTC) rapid HIV test. This summer, OraSure Technologies completed another leg of the FDA approval process required to put its oral swab HIV tests on the shelves of local drug stores.
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To raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in the Latino community, Miss Dominican Republic 2009 Mariela Lucas took a rapid HIV test at an event on October 7 hosted by the New York City NLAAD Planning Committee.
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Liliana Rañón (Latino Commission on AIDS) and Mariela Lucas (Miss Dominican Republic USA) discuss the seventh annual National Latino AIDS Awareness Day and the importance of OraQuickADVANCE® rapid oral fluid HIV testing on ABC's "Tiempo", a weekly round-table discussion show about topics affecting and relating to Hispanic citizens.
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Nueva York — Como inicio de la campaña nacional de concientización del SIDA, que se realiza ya por séptimo año consecutivo y que organiza la Comisión Nacional Latina sobre el SIDA (NLAAD, por sus siglas en inglés), la Señorita República Dominicana USA Mariela Lucas se hizo la prueba oral para detectar el HIV.
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In support of the 7th annual National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) on October 15, 2009, OraSure has partnered with the Latino Commission on AIDS to launch the National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Rapid HIV Testing Initiative. At the NLAAD kickoff event, Miss Dominican Republic U.S. (Mariela Lucas), Dr. Monica Sweeney (NYC DOHMH, Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control) and Carlos Santos (MTV3res) all took the OraQuick ADVANCE® rapid HIV test using a simple oral fluid sample in front of the public to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS prevention among Latinos.
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Orasure Technologies, the Bethlehem maker of OraQuick rapid HIV tests, announced Thursday a new contract with a purchasing group that represents 2,200 hospitals in the country.
The contract with Premier Purchasing Partners of Charlotte, N.C., effective Nov. 1, gives the group's member hospitals prenegotiated prices and terms for Orasure's rapid HIV tests, which can detect the virus within 20 minutes using oral fluids, finger sticks or blood.
The contract also helps Orasure reach more hospitals directly, an effort it launched this year when it moved to a direct sales model rather than relying on medical distributors to sell its products.
"We believe this contract will expand our growth opportunities among Premier members, particularly as hospitals across the country expand their HIV testing programs," Orasure Chief Executive Officer Douglas A. Michels said in a news release. Hospitals are offering more HIV testing during emergency room and outpatient clinic visits, Orasure officials said. Orasure shares closed at $3.09 Thursday, up nearly 10 percent for the day.
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Robert A. Gregg has been appointed vice president, regulatory affairs and quality assurance at OraSure Technologies Inc. He will have responsibility for the company's regulatory, quality assurance and clinical affairs functions.
Gregg joins OraSure with extensive experience in global regulatory affairs, including more than 25 years of relevant experience in the medical device and diagnostics industries with such organizations as Roche Diagnostics, Johnson & Johnson and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Since 2004, Gregg had served as vice president, corporate regulatory affairs and Quality Systems at PerkinElmer Inc., a global leader in health sciences.
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Debra Fraser-Howze, vice president of external affairs at OraSure Technologies and founder and former CEO of the National Black Leadership Committee on AIDS, has been awarded the Scroll of Merit by the National Medical Association.
The Scroll of Merit is the highest award conferred by the association and is given in recognition of unique exceptional achievement in medicine, science, education or public service.
The award was conferred on July 25 at the association's annual convention and scientific assembly in Las Vegas.
Fraser-Howze was selected because of her contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS in the African American community. She was the first to mobilize a broad coalition of African American leaders that included clergy, political leaders, community organizations and medical professionals in the fight against HIV/AIDS at a time when many were unaware of the disease or the danger to the community.
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Debra Fraser-Howze, vice president of External Affairs at OraSure Technologies and founder and former CEO of the National Black Leadership Committee on AIDS, was honored last month by the National Medical Association (NMA) during a gathering of members of the African-American doctors organization in Las Vegas.
Fraser-Howze received the NMA's highest honor, the Scroll of Merit, for her important contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS in the African American Community
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Debra Fraser-Howze, Vice President of External Affairs at OraSure Technologies and founder and former CEO of the National Black Leadership Committee on AIDS has been awarded the Scroll of Merit by the National Medical Association (NMA).
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Debra Fraser-Howze, vice president of external affairs at OraSure Technologies and founder and former CEO of the National Black Leadership Committee on AIDS, has been awarded the Scroll of Merit by the National Medical Association (NMA).
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Debra Fraser-Howze was awarded the Scroll of Merit by the National Medical Association. The Scroll of Merit is the highest award conferred by the NMA and is given in recognition of exceptional achievement in medicine, science, education or public service.
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Debra Fraser-Howze, vice president of external affairs at OraSure Technologies, says it is critically important that black women that are at risk for HIV/AIDS are tested to know their status.
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A citywide HIV Testing campaign that utilizes mobile text messages to link residents of Philadelphia with the locations of HIV testing sites throughout the city was launched today. Through the campaign, any city resident can send a text message with 'PA' plus their five-digit zip code to phone number (36363) and receive a free text message with information about the HIV testing location nearest to them.
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On Friday, June 26, OraSure partnered with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health AIDS Activities Coordinating Office (AACO) to kickoff Get Text-ed for HIV, a citywide HIV testing campaign to provide HIV testing site information to residents of Philadelphia via mobile text messages.
Using a mobile phone, Philadelphia residents can send a text message with their five-digit zip code and receive a free text message with HIV/AIDS testing center locations closest to them.
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On June 20th at Mansfield Motorsports Park, fans will experience more than just a day full of blood pumping, auto racing. When the ARCA RE/MAX competitors come to town, visitors to the track will help pay tribute to fallen auto racing hero and Ohio native Tim Richmond. Fans will also be invited to participate in a brand new motorsports health awareness campaign focused on HIV/AIDS awareness and testing.
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The race is a celebration of the life of Tim Richmond, but it's also raising awareness about his death.
Richmond, an Ashland native who was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers, died from AIDS 20 years ago. At the ARCA ReMax Series race named after him on Saturday, race promoter and longtime Richmond friend Joe Mattioli, along with Mansfield Motorsports Park owner Mike Dzurilla, want to do something positive in the late racer's memory.
The Ohio Department of Health as well as the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department and the Ohio Rural AIDS Advisory Group will have a booth at the track from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday where it will give HIV rapid tests with results in 20 minutes. There will also be brochures available at no charge.
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At the first annual Pay it Forward Health Fair in Batesville, Batesville native and two-time Superbowl champ Deshea Townsend swabs his mouth with the OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test to draw attention to the critical role of HIV testing and prevention education play in stemming the spread of AIDS in Mississippi.
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Nothing awakens the activist spirit in a person like a national issue hitting close to home. For Deshea Townsend, defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the alarming rates of HIV/AIDS infections in his hometown of Batesville, Mississippi, quickly turned him from Super bowl champ to Super activist.
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In the last 30 years, we have witnessed the industry's coming of age, with its first blockbuster device and its shift from individual inventors and small start-ups to globally recognized brand names. The OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test is included as one of the 30 devices over the last 30 years that have changed the industry and the world.
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The 33-year-old grew up in this small town of Batesville with three brothers and two sisters. He had two parents who made sure he went to school and teachers who made sure he did his work.
Deshea Townsend, a cornerback for the 2009 Superbowl Champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers, gives most of the credit to his teachers, his parents and a community who has supported him since he went off to college at the University of Alabama.
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Deshea Townsend, a two-time Super Bowl winner as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers and founder of the Pay It Forward Foundation and Football Day Camp -- now in its 10th year -- on May 16 took a public oral HIV antibody test to draw attention to the impact of the disease in his home state of Mississippi and to encourage others to get screened for the disease.
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A London NHS trust has become the first in the country to offer an HIV saliva test that provides definitive results on the spot in 20 minutes. The test uses a toothbrush to pick up HIV antibody markers from the gum line. Barts and the London NHS Trust hope more people will seek testing if the need to give blood and wait perhaps up to a week for results is eliminated. Saliva tests are not new - and are indeed widely available in the US. Home saliva tests are banned in the UK because counselling is not to hand, but Barts has become the first to offer the mouth swab on the NHS and provide almost immediate results.
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OraSure Technologies continues to bet big on broadening the reach of its products, which can quickly test blood and oral fluid for HIV infection or drug use, by investing heavily in research and development.
By spending so much on getting new products to federal government approval, the Bethlehem company is sacrificing profits today in hopes of bigger returns in the future.
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You might not realize it, but one of the major problems with treating HIV is that many people don't know they have it. In the United States, it's estimated that some 1.2 million have HIV in the United States--but nearly a third of those don't know it.
That's why OraSure's novel HIV screening device, OraQuick ADVANCE®, has the potential for wide acceptance not only in the United States, but also in an international community that affects more than 40 million people worldwide.
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NBC's Robert Bazell discusses a new report issued by the Department of Health in Washington DC has set off alarm signals in the nation's capital. The report confirmed for the first time that at least 15,120 residents -- about 3,000 per every 100,000 over the age of 12 (roughly 3% of the total DC population!) -- have HIV or AIDS.
The video shows footage of the District of Columbia Department of Health's Operational Support testing van traveling to different parts of Washington DC persuading people to learn their HIV status by taking OraSure's OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test.
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Debra Fraser-Howze, OraSure's Vice President of Government and External Affairs, participated in an on-air interview with Lehigh Valley's WFMZ-TV 69 News. Ms. Fraser-Howze discussed the HIV/AIDS crisis among the African American Community and also what is being done, nationally and locally to help stem the spread of HIV/AIDS.
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On Monday, March 9, 2009, OraSure Technologies was the site of recognition event that honored Congressman Dent and the work he has done to improve healthcare for veterans, including his work in passing legislation to remove barriers to HIV Testing throughout VA Health Care System.
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As winter warms into summer, there is much more to keeping healthy than just keeping your body toned and tanned: Keep it fine-tuned by being sexually healthy this spring.
Last week, University of South Alabama observed Minority AIDS Awareness Week by offering a free Oraquick Rapid HIV testing Feb. 16 and 17 at the Student Health Center. All testing remained confidential, and results were determined within 20 minutes. Due to the testing's popularity, supplies were depleted before the second day of tests could even begin.
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More than 80% give oral sample: hospital
People waiting to be seen in the emergency room at Advocate Trinity Hospital in the Calumet Heights neighborhood don't just get forms to fill out. They're also offered a free HIV test, no matter why they're there.
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OraSure Technologies announced this week that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved its request for 12-month shelf life from the date of manufacture for its OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test.
The FDA approval is based on enhancements made by OraSure to the manufacturing process and product packaging of its OraQuick ADVANCE® test, and represents a six-month increase in shelf life over that of product currently available. The company anticipates having the enhanced product available for delivery starting in March.
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2008
Dr. Timothy Friel from Lehigh Valley Hospital's Aids Activities Office and Mr. Douglas Michels, CEO of Orasure Technologies in Bethlehem sat down with WFMZ's Eve Tannery this morning on 69 News at Sunrise to talk about where the global fight stands and what's being done in the Lehigh Valley to help.
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The first rapid oral fluid hepatitis C test for the US market, called OraQuick, may be available soon. OraSure Technologies, Inc., the test's developer, has recently filed for FDA approval. This process will probably take some time, but in the end, people with hepatitis C (especially those who aren't aware of their infection) will have a powerful test to use.
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An evaluation by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research of the still-in-development OraQuick HCV Test found that it had higher sensitivity (99.4 percent) than and highest specificity (99.7 percent) of other hepatitis C tests evaluated.
The OraQuick HCV Test detected HCV antibodies approximately three days sooner than available laboratory-based enzyme immunoassays and approximately sixteen days earlier than the next most sensitive rapid HCV test, the evaluation indicated.
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OraSure Technologies Inc. has announced that it has submitted an approval application to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its rapid hepatitis C virus (HCV) test kit.
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OraSure Technologies on Tuesday announced that it has submitted a pre-market approval application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its rapid test for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus utilizing OraSure Technologies OraQuick technology platform.
If approved, the OraQuick HCV test is expected to be the first rapid HCV test approved by the FDA for use in the United States.
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- Test Taker
People Magazine (Spanish Version)
October 15, 2008
At a National Latino AIDS Awareness Day kickoff in NYC, Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza swabs her mouth with an OraQuick HIV test, the first and only FDA approved, rapid oral HIV test that provides greater than 99% accurate results in less than 20 minutes.
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Another obstacle to routine screening for HIV is about to fall, this time for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the nation's largest provider of HIV care. You may recall that in 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued revised recommendations for testing adults, adolescents and pregnant women for the virus that causes AIDS.
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A new test to screen blood donors for hepatitis C (HCV) is showing promise, having scored the highest against five other systems during an evaluation by Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, according to developer OraSure Technologies.
When there's a shortage of blood for transfusions on the battlefield, medics turn to the Walking Blood Bank, i.e. any available soldier. However, short of prescreening every potential donor or using other time-consuming methods, there has been no way to be sure that a donor is disease free (PDF).
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The mayor of Phoenix joined volunteers and concerned citizens in efforts to raise awareness for national HIV Testing Day on June 27. Phil Gordon held his fourth annual press conference at Higher Heights Church to educate the Valley on the importance of HIV/AIDS testing.
"No longer does an HIV test require blood or needles...but rather an oral swab," Gordon said. OraSure technologies donated 300 OraQuick antibody tests to the Arizona Department of Health.
"The test is safe, painless and accurate - it requires just a swab of oral fluid and is greater than 99 percent accurate. Results are available in 20 minutes," according to information supplied by the Mayor's Campaign Against HIV.
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About 140 employees of OraSure Technologies in Bethlehem recently participated in the 23rd annual AIDS Walk New York in New York City.
At the event, OraSure donated OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Tests and conducted free rapid oral HIV tests in mobile testing vans throughout the day. OraQuick ADVANCE requires just a swab of oral fluid (no blood or needles) and is greater than 99 percent accurate. Results are available in 20 minutes.
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'No blood. No pain. Instant results," is how Alexandra, 22, of Chicago describes the OraQuick Advance HIV test she took in April. Because she had had unprotected sex recently, she took the test for her "peace of mind," she says. The results: Negative.
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Today, National HIV Testing Day, I am joining more than 50 other mayors nationwide in urging everyone to get tested for HIV. From Seattle to Miami to Phoenix to Dallas, we are all signing on to make a dent in the national epidemic by reducing infections at home. Lives depend on it.
This is the 14th year that the National Association of People with AIDS has carried out its nationwide effort to boost HIV/AIDS awareness, encourage regular testing, and push for early diagnosis and treatment. This is critical for the millions of Americans at risk for HIV and the even greater number who do not know they are at risk.
But it starts with the test. And private testing is now very easy. The rapid oral tests provide accurate results in about 30 minutes.
That is why I have arranged, through the National Association of People with AIDS, for 500 OraSure Technologies rapid oral tests to be donated to the Nelson-Tebedo Health Resource Center. That means at least 500 people can get an HIV test free today, on HIV Testing Day, and learn their HIV status.
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BETHLEHEM | You don't know what you don't know.
That's the logic community health specialist Kari Kirchgessner uses at the Bethlehem Health Bureau to convince people to learn their HIV status. On Friday, National HIV Testing Day, she said a dozen people found out during the bureau's annual testing drive.
Bethlehem-based OraSure Technologies donated rapid test kits—hey take about 20 minutes to process—for Friday's testing drive. Kirchgessner said most testing is done by blood draw, with results taking about two weeks.
The CDC estimates about one-third of the people who get tested by blood draw never come back for their results. OraSure's Vice President of Marketing Ron Ticho said the company is battling that statistic with its rapid test.
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BENSALEM — Every year an estimated 50 million pre-employment and post-employment drug-screening tests are administered for businesses by private laboratories in the United States.
"It's a $3 billion marketplace," said Dr. Raza Bokhari, chairman and owner of Parkway Clinical Laboratories.
Bokhari wants Parkway to become a major player in the employee drug-screening arena by having his lab promote oral fluid drug screening over the traditional method of testing urine samples for substance abuse.
Parkway is one of just a handful of labs in the country to be certified by OraSure Technologies Inc. of Bethlehem, Pa., to test saliva samples for substance abuse using OraSure's Intercept oral fluid collection device.
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At a downtown facility near skid row, the VA can swab a person's mouth and get almost instant results.
The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System began offering 20-minute HIV tests at its downtown ambulatory care center Tuesday -- part of a campaign to encourage more veterans to get tested and treated for the virus.
"HIV testing is the gateway to life-saving therapy," said Dr. Earl Tso, a primary care physician who is leading the downtown center's outreach effort.
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Three distinguished Atlantans sat at a table in front of TV cameras and a flock of churchgoers Sunday afternoon and swabbed the insides of their mouths for all to see.
Sunday marked the 19th annual National Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS. The testing at Ebenezer was conducted in collaboration with the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, AID Atlanta and Our Common Welfare.
Warnock, Bond and Lewis submitted to an OraQuick ADVANCE test, described as the only rapid saliva test for HIV.
No needles are used and no blood is drawn, and results can be obtained in less than 20 minutes. That is significant, representatives said, because many people tested for HIV at public health clinics never return to learn the results.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As part of a new pilot program, anyone that is rushed to the Vanderbilt Emergency room will now automatically be tested for HIV. People that come in to the ER for medical treatment will automatically have their mouth swabbed as part of the free test, unless they opt out of the procedure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is funding the new six-month program to detect HIV infections earlier and get more people follow-up with care. People who are brought into the ER in a disoriented state are automatically waived from the test.
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You've read all of the scary statistics. You've watched the commercials, You've driven by the huge billboards. So why are you still getting infected?
Getting tested is easier than it's ever been. OraQuick Advance has developed a way to know your status in 20 minutes through the OraSure test, through the only rapid oral fluid (saliva) HIV test. No needles, no blood, no waiting. This is significant because prior to the introduction or rapid testing, more than one-third of the 2.2 million Americans tested for HIV at public health clinics each year did not return to learn their test results—as many as 8,000 individuals who test positive for HIV each year do not return for their results.
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OraSure Technologies Inc, Bethlehem, Pa, announced that Debra Fraser-Howze, current President/CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA), has joined the company as vice president, government and external affairs.
Fraser-Howze will represent the company with government officials regarding the issues, policies, and laws impacting the company's businesses, including the infectious disease and substance abuse testing businesses.
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2006
Obama urged unity despite political differences to fight the disease that has killed 25 million people since the first case was reported in 1981. Some 40 million currently are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
"We are all sick because of AIDS," Obama said. "We are all challenged by this crisis."
In a show of political unity, Obama took an AIDS test with a potential White House rival on the Republican side—Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas.
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