Calypte Launches Sales Initiative in Middle East
LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Calypte Biomedical Corporation (Amex: HIV), medical diagnostic tests manufacturer for the professional point of care (PRO) and over the counter (OTC) segments of the market primarily for the detection of antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), announced today that it has received an order for 100,000 of its over-the-counter (OTC) version of the Aware(TM) Oral Fluid HIV-1/2 Rapid Diagnostic Test.
Joseph and Gionis, Calypte's exclusive distributor in the Middle East, is initially focusing on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with this order. The value of this order is in excess of $250,000.
Dr. Gionis, President of Joseph and Gionis, commented, "Joseph and Gionis has been actively involved with Calypte since the introduction of this first-ever Over-the-Counter (OTC) HIV test at Arab Health, the largest Healthcare Exhibition in the Middle East, held in Dubai last January. I am pleased to see the progress we are now realizing. This first sizable order will go into the UAE. At the same time, we are continuing to obtain regulatory approvals throughout the region and expect to launch this OTC test into additional countries in the coming months."
Dr. Gionis concluded, "While we are all saddened by the war in the Middle East, HIV/AIDS continues to be a major focus and we expect to exceed our one-year targets -- delivering at least 700,000 tests into a minimum of 7 countries in the region."
Roger I. Gale, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Calypte stated, "We are starting to penetrate those markets where we have focused our initial regulatory efforts, including South Africa and now the UAE. It is gratifying to see the results and to be able to focus on the positive challenges of ramping up our manufacturing efforts. I look forward to a having a growing and productive relationship with Joseph and Gionis, as this organization continues to utilize its expertise to facilitate the regulatory process in additional countries within its territory. We will continue to keep you posted as we expand our penetration into the Middle East."
About Joseph and Gionis:
Joseph and Gionis (www.josephandgionis.com ) is a global biotechnology consulting and distribution firm with offices in Newport Beach, California and the UAE, specializing in new scientific developments which contribute to public health and welfare.
Joseph and Gionis is Calypte's exclusive distributor for 21 Middle Eastern countries with a population of approximately 465 million people. According to the December 2004 UNAIDS report, there are between 230,000 and 1.5 million adults and children living with HIV within this region, of which nearly half are women.