Axis-Shield UK is the new UK supplier of OraSure’s OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV – 1/2 antibody test, a revolutionary non-invasive point-of-care HIV test which provides results in just 20 minutes.

Over 99 per cent accurate, OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV – 1/2 is the only test approved for oral fluid, whole blood and plasma.  Ideal for both clinical and outreach settings, this simple test offers patients accurate preliminary HIV testing, without the need for blood or needles.

Health professionals can provide preliminary results in 20 minutes and advise the patient they may be infected with HIV. This allows time for education into risk factors and steps to avoid spreading HIV to others. Between 30-50 per cent of all new infections are thought to be caused by those who are undiagnosed or recently infected⁽²⁾ 

The number of people living with HIV in the UK is continuing to rise, with an estimated 83,000 infected at the end of 2008⁽¹⁾ and over half (55 %) of people newly diagnosed with HIV were diagnosed with a CD4 count <350 per mm³– the threshold at which therapy is recommended to begin⁽¹⁾. 

Sue Younghusband, marketing director at Axis-Shield UK said: “We are delighted to be the new supplier of such an exciting product. With this test, patients can learn their status in a single visit, rather than waiting for their results, and HIV positive patients can then be connected to care immediately. With 27 per cent⁽¹⁾ of people living with HIV in the UK unaware of their infection, it is important to improve the screening process in order to move closer towards prevention.”

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For further information about OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV – 1/2 Antibody test please contact Sue Younghusband at Axis-Shielld UK on 01480 862100 or alternatively please visit www.axis-shielduk.com

Footnote:

⁽¹⁾ Health Protection Agency (2009) HIV in the United Kingdom: 2009 Report

⁽²⁾ Primary Care Today (November, 2008) HIV: Stop, think, test: http://www.primarycaretoday.co.uk/medcon/?pid=4270&lsid=4281&edname=27195.htm&ped=27195

About Axis-Shield UK

Axis-Shield UK is part of the Axis-Shield Group which develops, manufactures and distributes high quality, in-vitro diagnostic testing technologies that help improve healthcare and patient management. The company has a range of proprietary technologies and runs an active programme of development for new products that can be utilised across clinical laboratories, in hospitals or by Primary Care Trusts (PCT). The organisation manufactures key devices including Afinion^™ and Thrombotrack^™ and works with medical company Abbott to distribute i-STAT^® - a unique handheld analyser.

At the point-of-care (in hospitals or in the community), Axis-Shield’s novel, branded products can be used for the early, rapid and differential diagnosis and treatment of patients while they are present – ultimately speeding treatment times and helping to improve lives.

In the laboratory sector, Axis-Shield specialises in proprietary markers for the diagnosis and management of critical illnesses such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and rheumatoid arthritis.