Calypte Supports State of the Union Address HIV/AIDS Initiative
LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Calypte Biomedical Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: CBMC), medical diagnostic tests manufacturer for the detection of antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for the professional point of care (PRO) and over the counter (OTC) segments of the market today announced its continued support for President George W. Bush's efforts to prevent, treat and ultimately defeat HIV/AIDS, as stated in his recent State of the Union address. In that address, President Bush asked Congress to commit $15 billion over the next five years, including nearly $10 billion in new money, to turn the tide against AIDS in the most afflicted nations of Africa and the Caribbean.
According to the December 2006 AIDS Epidemic Update, published jointly by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ("UNAIDS") and the World Health Organization, Sub-Saharan Africa has just over 10% of the world's population, but is home to almost two thirds (63%) of all people living with HIV-some 24.7 million. In 2006, an estimated 2.8 million people in the region became newly infected, while 2.1 million adults and children died of AIDS, representing 72% of global AIDS deaths.
Calypte has received regulatory approvals and is actively marketing its Aware(TM) line of HIV-1/2 rapid tests in Kenya, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, UAE, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Calypte has also recently received USAID approval for its Aware(TM) HIV-1/2 BSP test and is currently pursuing USAID approval for its Aware(TM) HIV-1/2 OMT test. The USAID approval qualifies the tests for use in PEPFAR funded programs. During the second half of 2006 Calypte received orders for distribution of its Aware(TM) HIV-1/2 oral fluid rapid test in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Russia and Africa.
Roger Gale, Calypte's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, "Calypte is proud to be participating in the war against HIV/AIDS in such a meaningful and timely way. Our Aware(TM) HIV-1/2 oral fluid rapid tests are safer, more appealing to patients and generally more cost effective than blood rapid tests. They are especially well suited for use in rural outreach settings. We look forward to keeping our product in the locations that are so devastated by this disease."
About Calypte Biomedical:
Calypte Biomedical Corporation (
http://www.calypte.com) is a U.S.-based healthcare company focused on the development and commercialization of rapid testing products for sexually transmitted diseases such as the Aware(TM) HIV- 1/2 OMT test that are suitable for use at the point of care and at home. Calypte believes there is a significant need for rapid detection of such diseases globally to control their proliferation, particularly in developing countries, which lack the medical infrastructure to support laboratory-based testing. Calypte believes that testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infectious diseases may make important contributions to public health, and could increase the likelihood of treating those with undetected HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Such statements reflect management's current views, are based on certain assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, events, or performance may differ materially from the above forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors, and will be dependent upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the Company's ability to obtain additional financing, if and as needed, and access funds from its existing financing arrangements that will allow it to continue its current and future operations and whether demand for its test products in domestic and international markets will generate sufficient revenues to achieve positive cash flow and profitability. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard to these forward-looking statements or the occurrence of unanticipated events. Factors that may impact the Company's success are more fully disclosed in the Company's most recent public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including its annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005 and its subsequent filings with the SEC.
Company Contact:
Richard Brounstein, Executive Vice President
(971) 204-0282
email:rbrounstein@calypte.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Tim Clemensen,
Rubenstein Investor Relations
Phone: (212) 843-9337
email:tclemensen@rubensteinir.com
SOURCE Calypte Biomedical Corporation
-0- 01/25/2007
/CONTACT: Richard Brounstein, Executive Vice President, +1-971-204-0282,
rbrounstein@calypte.com; or Investor, Tim Clemensen, Rubenstein Investor
Relations, +1-212-843-9337, tclemensen@rubensteinir.com /
/Web site:
http://www.calypte.com /
(CBMC)
CO: Calypte Biomedical Corporation
ST: Oregon
IN: HEA MTC IDC OTC
SU: FOR POL EXE
RB
-- NYTH083 --
4501 01/25/2007 08:02 EST
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