In China, we have completed the clinical trials on our HIV rapid tests that were
conducted by the National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention of the
Chinese CDC. The trials involved approximately 1,500 subjects. Based on the
results of the trials, we believe that the performance of each of our three
rapid tests was sufficient to make them approvable; however, the performance of
the urine test was not as robust as that of the blood or oral fluid tests. Since
our oral fluid test has consistently performed well in clinical trials and the
Chinese SFDA has expressed an interest in alternative fluid testing, we have
decided to initially submit only our oral fluid HIV test for approval by the
Chinese SFDA. We believe that submitting an application for only one alternative
fluid test will expedite the development of a revenue stream in China. We plan
to submit the oral fluid application by the end of the third quarter and would
expect to receive approval for the sale of the test from the SFDA by late in
this calendar year. Beijing Calypte, our joint venture with Marr, will manage
the Chinese oral fluid test product launch. There are several large markets in
China, including a recently announced commitment by the Chinese government to
offer voluntary HIV testing to its entire 1.36 billion population. With trained
non-professionals and a safe, non-invasive oral fluid test, we expect strong
demand for our initial test.
We have not abandoned our plans to seek and obtain approval for the urine rapid
HIV test in China. We believe that urine is a valuable alternative to blood
testing and has a definite place in HIV testing. Further, we have received
verbal guidance from the SFDA that the urine rapid test is desirable and
approvable. We plan to submit an application for marketing approval of our urine
rapid test once we have strategically determined the appropriate path for
getting it on the Chinese market
conducted by the National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention of the
Chinese CDC. The trials involved approximately 1,500 subjects. Based on the
results of the trials, we believe that the performance of each of our three
rapid tests was sufficient to make them approvable; however, the performance of
the urine test was not as robust as that of the blood or oral fluid tests. Since
our oral fluid test has consistently performed well in clinical trials and the
Chinese SFDA has expressed an interest in alternative fluid testing, we have
decided to initially submit only our oral fluid HIV test for approval by the
Chinese SFDA. We believe that submitting an application for only one alternative
fluid test will expedite the development of a revenue stream in China. We plan
to submit the oral fluid application by the end of the third quarter and would
expect to receive approval for the sale of the test from the SFDA by late in
this calendar year. Beijing Calypte, our joint venture with Marr, will manage
the Chinese oral fluid test product launch. There are several large markets in
China, including a recently announced commitment by the Chinese government to
offer voluntary HIV testing to its entire 1.36 billion population. With trained
non-professionals and a safe, non-invasive oral fluid test, we expect strong
demand for our initial test.
We have not abandoned our plans to seek and obtain approval for the urine rapid
HIV test in China. We believe that urine is a valuable alternative to blood
testing and has a definite place in HIV testing. Further, we have received
verbal guidance from the SFDA that the urine rapid test is desirable and
approvable. We plan to submit an application for marketing approval of our urine
rapid test once we have strategically determined the appropriate path for
getting it on the Chinese market
