BIOLYTICAL POSTPONES TORONTO DATE FOR PUBLIC HIV TESTING AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
VANCOUVER, BC, August 17, 2007 - bioLytical announced today the postponement of the Toronto dates for the Test Your Commitment campaign. Originally planned for August 17th and 18th at Dundas Square, the Test Your Commitment campaign will be rescheduled for a new date in the coming weeks. The decision was made in consultation with local HIV/AIDS organizations and the Ontario AIDS Bureau. The Montreal leg of the tour is going ahead as planned on November 30th and December 1st at the World Aids Day Concert.
The Test Your Commitment campaign is sponsored by Virgin Mobile Canada and aims to bring increased awareness to HIV/AIDS and the importance of being tested. Free HIV tests using bioLytical's INSTIT kit will be available to the public in the INSTIBus, a 50-foot mobile testing unit with six private testing rooms, together with on-site education and information. The campaign recently launched in Vancouver and was a tremendous success, attracting hundreds of people to watch demonstrations of INSTI, witness live testimonials, and network with health care professionals and community group representatives. Many expressed a desire to have this testing format available to them through the health care system.
Following the announcement in June by Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman launching the first HIV testing program in Canada, the province has been working to ramp up its operations. The revised HIV testing program includes free access to a new 60-second rapid HIV test through the province's anonymous and sexual health clinics, including 24 new Anonymous Testing sites. Rescheduling the campaign for a later date will allow the clinics in Ontario sufficient time to train staff and initiate point-of-care (POC) HIV testing as well as all other elements of the Anonymous Testing program.
bioLytical's INSTIT is the only rapid HIV test that is Health Canada approved for POC testing. At 60 seconds for a reading, INSTIT is the fasted diagnostic kit in the world.
"After discussions with local HIV/AIDS organizations and the Ontario AIDS Bureau we are happy to reschedule our event to address any potential conflict with the province's expansion of testing clinics and training staff to use the rapid test," commented Carl Roy, CEO, bioLytical. For public testing to be successful we need the mobile testing unit staffed with proficient health care professionals who are comfortable using INSTI, familiar with HIV testing and expert HIV educators and counsellors.
Ontario is the first provincial government in Canada to include free HIV rapid testing as part of their provincial healthcare system. This move has been applauded by HIV/AIDS organizations across Canada and it is hoped other provinces will follow this progressive lead set forth by Ontario. Access to testing is recognized as an important element in the fight against HIV infection.
ABOUT INSTI HIV-1 RAPID ANTIBODY TEST
The INSTI HIV-1 Rapid Antibody Test is a rapid, in-vitro, qualitative test for the detection of antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 in human whole blood, serum or plasma. The test is capable of providing results in 60-seconds and is intended for use as a screening assay by trained personnel in medical facilities, clinical laboratories, emergency care situations, and physicians' offices.
ABOUT BIOLYTICAL LABORATORIES
bioLytical Laboratories (Inc.) is a leading developer and manufacturer of diagnostic tests for global health care markets. bioLytical is a privately owned company with headquarters and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Richmond, British Columbia, with offices in United Kingdom and Uganda, Africa. For more information about bioLytical and INSTIT, please visit biolytical.com.
This news release is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, an advertisement, solicitation or offering of securities of bioLytical Laboratories. The statements made in this news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations.
ABOUT VIRGIN MOBILE CANADA
Launched in 2005, Virgin Mobile is Canada's first wireless service created for and defined by youth. The country's first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Virgin Mobile has a portfolio that includes monthly price plans, a full range of phones and a broad array of messaging, music and mobile content offerings - without long-term contracts. J.D. Power and Associates has recognized Virgin Mobile as highest in customer satisfaction with prepaid wireless service for two years in a row.
The Virgin Mobile group of companies has attracted over 10 million customers worldwide. Virgin Mobile phones are available at more than 4,000 locations with top-up cards available at more than 10,000 locations nationally. Virgin Mobile products can also be purchased online at http://www.virginmobile.ca or by calling 877-662-2824.
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Media Contact for bioLytical Laboratories:
Amanda Smith, BSc.
Smith Biotech
Phone: (778) 846-4116
amanda@smithbiotech.com
Media contact for Virgin Mobile Canada:
Chris Baines
Virgin Mobile Canada
Phone: (647) 378-8859 or (416) 607-8412
chris.baines@virginmobile.ca
"Reproduced with permission - bioLytical Laboratories Inc."
bioLytical Laboratories Inc.
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