Outbreak of Mad Cow Disease Generates Interest in Chembio Diagnostics’ Rapid Test for BSE
Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.announced today that the recent concerns surrounding Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), also known as “mad cow disease”, could generate significant interest in the PrioSTRIP(TM) rapid test which provides a unique combination of high-speed testing and reliability with simple handling, resulting in very low total operational costs.
Recently, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said that the brain wasting disease showed up in an Alberta cow under seven years old. While officials say no part of the animal has entered the human or animal feed system, this is the second case of BSE found in Canada this year. The PrioSTRIP(TM) provides the ability to rapidly detect BSE in cattle. The Company intends to seek approval from the United States Department of Agriculture to distribute the product prior to the end of the year. Upon approval of the product in Europe, Chembio will be a supplier of PrioSTRIP(TM) to Prionics and its distributors in Europe.
In a report dated November 16, 2004, the EFSA Working Group on TSE Testing expressed its favorable opinion on PrioSTRIP(TM) among several other new tests it evaluated and is now recommending the PrioSTRIP(TM) test for approval by the European Commission.
ABOUT CHEMBIO
Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. (Chembio) possesses expertise in the development and manufacturing of rapid test products for various indications, including HIV, Tuberculosis and BSE (a.k.a. Mad Cow Disease). Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. References to Chembio Diagnostics, Inc may actually refer to Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc., the 100%-owned subsidiary of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. Chembio is located at 3661 Horseblock Road, Medford, NY 11763. Chembio’s telephone number is 631-924-1135. Email can be directed to info@chembio.com . Additional information can be found at www.chembio.com .
