Thermo BioStar Introduces Rapid RSV Test
Businesswire, Wednesday, September 18, 2002 at 15:15
LOUISVILLE, Colo., Sep 18, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Thermo BioStar(TM), a Thermo Electron business (NYSE:TMO), today announced the introduction of the RSV OIA(R) rapid immunoassay for the detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children worldwide.
In the U.S., RSV causes approximately 90,000 hospitalizations and 4,500 deaths each year in both infants and young children, and healthcare costs associated with RSV hospitalizations exceed $2 billion per year."Estimates are that the most children will contract RSV by the age of two. Given the very serious complications that can result from infection, quick and accurate diagnosis is key,"said Chris Lynn, Thermo BioStar's vice president of marketing."We are pleased to offer this important test to physicians and hospitals through our direct sales organization. This latest test uses the same patented OIA technology platform as our well-known tests for flu and strep. It also provides excellent sensitivity, specificity and simplifies the testing process. We believe this test will continue to solidify Thermo BioStar's reputation as the leader in rapid respiratory and pediatric testing."According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, RSV is the most frequent cause of lower respiratory infections, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia, in infants and children under two years of age. An RSV infection can range from mild to life-threatening or even fatal. Death results in up to two percent of cases. Children with heart or lung disease and weak immune systems are at increased risk of developing severe infection and complications. RSV also causes repeated symptomatic infections throughout life. Because RSV is a viral disease, it does not respond to antibiotics. Rapid diagnosis of RSV is critical in order to prevent the unnecessary use of antibiotics.
Thermo BioStar develops, manufactures, and markets rapid diagnostic tests for infectious diseases in the U.S. and in select international markets. Its patented OIA (Optical ImmunoAssay) technology provides tests with extremely high sensitivity and specificity. The OIA product line includes tests for Group A Streptococcus, Influenza A and B, Chlamydia, Group B Streptococcus, and Clostridium difficile Toxin A. Products in the Acceava(R) product line include Group A Streptococcus, Pregnancy, and Mononucleosis. For more information about Thermo BioStar, please visit www.thermo.com/biostar, or call 800/637-3717.
Thermo Electron Corporation is a global leader in providing technology-based instruments, components, and systems that offer total solutions for markets ranging from life sciences to telecommunications to food, drug, and beverage production. The company's powerful technologies help researchers sift through data to make discoveries that will fight disease or prolong life. They allow manufacturers to fabricate critical components required to increase the production to ensure that quality standards are met safely and efficiently. Thermo Electron, based in Waltham, Massachusetts, reported $2.2 billion in revenues in 2001 and employs approximately 12,000 people worldwide. For more information on Thermo Electron, visit thermo.com.
Acceava, OIA, and Thermo BioStar are trademarks of Thermo BioStar, Inc. |
