Rapid HIV test on its way to approval

The Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has given the makers of a rapid HIV oral test application a positive response to its product.

Calypte Biomedical Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of HIV diagnostics tests, has announced that the technical review of its test has been completed.

Following the results of this, the rapid oral test product application will then progress to completing its administrative approval.

"This is a major milestone in a long and difficult approval process," said Roger I Gale, Calypte's president and chief executive.

Dr Ronald W Mink, Calypte's chief science officer, added: "We are absolutely delighted that we have overcome what is arguably the highest hurdle in the approval process, and are ready to move into the final administrative stage."

Researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recently announced the discovery of the pathway by which an HIV peptide moves through healthy cells.

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