Chembio Expands Point-of-Care Platform and Launches the DPP® Micro Reader

Chembio Diagnostics, Inc., a leader in point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, announced today that it has signed an agreement with opTricon (Berlin, Germany), a leading developer of mobile analysis devices for rapid diagnostic tests. Through this exclusive agreement, subject to certain terms, and covering the fields of sexually transmitted diseases, certain "fever" diseases, and a specific form of cancer, Chembio will launch the DPP® Micro Reader, a point-of-care instrument designed specifically to complement Chembio's patented DPP® technology as applied to those diseases.

The DPP® Micro Reader will include an innovative image sensor to provide a quantitative interpretation of diagnostic results when combined with Chembio's proprietary DPP® immunoassay technology. Using a state-of-the-art camera system, the DPP® Micro Reader is designed to provide definitive diagnostic results for low analyte concentrations, which may otherwise result in faint or ambiguous test results. In addition, the DPP® Micro Reader will provide customers with various options to capture, record, transmit and store test results. With one-button operation, the palm-sized and battery-operated DPP® Micro Reader is simple, fast, portable and cost-effective.

Javan Esfandiari, Chembio's Chief Science & Technology Officer, commented, "Our scientific team is focused on the development of DPP® Assays that provide multiplexing and greater sensitivity, as compared to traditional lateral flow technology, as well as DPP® Assays that may deliver quantitative results. We intend to combine the DPP® Micro Reader with a number of assays in development, including the DPP® Fever Panel Assay funded by the Paul G. Allen Ebola Program, the DPP® Malaria-Ebola Assay funded by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the DPP® Cancer Assay funded by an external partner, and the DPP® HIV-Syphilis Assay which is funded internally."

John Sperzel, Chembio's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "While point-of-care testing is a critical part of global healthcare, long term success requires innovation that extends beyond the diagnostic test and includes data capture, transmission and storage. For certain DPP® Assays, we believe the DPP® Micro Reader will provide an innovative, cost-effective solution."