bioLytical Laboratories Playing Important Role in First-Of-Its-Kind Program Aimed at Identifying and Treating HIV Patients in British Columbia
Richmond, B.C. – Nov. 10, 2011. As developer of the INSTI Rapid HIV Test, bioLytical Laboratories plays an important role in British Columbia’s landmark Seek and Treat pilot project, which recently ramped up across the province.
Promotion of BCs Seek and Treat pilot project expanded this week with a guerilla marketing campaign initiated by Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and delivered via social media, bus shelters and websites. About 200,000 HIV tests are completed annually in B.C. and such blood tests have detected nearly 14,000 cases of individuals now living with HIV. Last year, there were 301 new HIV cases in B.C.; three of every 1,000 tests result in an HIV diagnosis. British research has demonstrated a cost benefit when the prevalence of diagnosis is one or two out of every 1,000 tests.
The four-year, $48-million program, funded by the provincial government, is currently underway in Prince George and Vancouver. Its meant to identify up to 3,500 more cases of HIV; the number of adults estimated to be unknowingly infected with the virus in B.C.
Under the program, family doctors are being urged to add on HIV testing for all adult patients being sent for other types of blood tests. The INSTI Kit is able to detect HIV antibodies in just 60 seconds or less, says bioLytical Chief Technical Officer Rick Galli.
The speed to result and ease of use provided by INSTI will allow B.C. to administer more tests in a wider variety of settings and to do so in a manner that leverages financial and human resources very efficiently, says bioLytical Chief Operating Officer & CFO Colin MacGillivray.
Since developing the INSTI Kit, bioLytical has played a key role in improving accessibility and efficiency of HIV testing across Canada and in other countries around the world, ultimately making the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS a more attainable, and cost-effective goal for patients and their health care providers, particularly in hard-to-reach, and high-risk communities.
Significant resources have been spent developing the INSTI test and bringing it to the marketplace. bioLytical is committed to working with key stakeholders to improve access to its technology.
For more information, call bioLytical at 888-316-0351 or visit www.biolytical.com.
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