NEWS RELEASE
1265 Harbor Bay Parkway Alameda, CA 94502
www.calypte.com
EARVIN “MAGIC” JOHNSON AND CALYPTE BIOMEDICAL
TEAM-UP TO FIGHT THE SPREAD OF AIDS
-- Johnson to Join Calypte’s Board of Directors and to Actively Promote
Awareness of Calypte’s Urine-Based HIV Screening Test --
Alameda, CA – April 29, 2003 – Today, the Magic Johnson Foundation, Inc. (http://www.magicjohnson.org) and Calypte Biomedical Corporation (OTCBB: CALY) in a joint effort, announced that Earvin “Magic” Johnson will join Calypte’s Board of Directors, and that he will also play an active role in promoting global awareness of Calypte’s FDA-approved HIV-1 antibody tests for use with urine samples.
Earvin Magic Johnson stated, “At the Magic Johnson Foundation our focus is on supporting community-based organizations and developing programs that serve the health, educational and social needs of those residing in inner-city communities. In addition, over the past twelve years, the Foundation has made a strong commitment to raise awareness about several health and social concerns that threaten under-served communities.
“My decision to join the Board of Calypte represents a continuation of this commitment. When I first heard of a test for the AIDS virus that uses urine samples, I was amazed and wondered why more people didn’t know about it. I believe that the fear of a blood test is one of the biggest reasons why more people don’t get tested. Now, with Calypte’s urine test, there are no more excuses,” Johnson added.
Calypte’s screening EIA and supplemental Western Blot tests are the only two FDA-approved HIV-1 antibody tests that can be used on urine samples. When compared with existing blood-based tests, Calypte’s testing algorithms are non-invasive, easier to use, less expensive and have significantly less risk than blood-based testing, and they have 99.7% sensitivity in subjects previously identified as HIV-1 infected and 100% specificity in subjects at low risk when combined with the urine-based Western Blot supplemental test.
“We cannot envision a more ideal individual to help create awareness on a global basis about urine-based AIDS screening than Earvin “Magic” Johnson,” stated Nancy Katz, Calypte’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are deeply honored to have him as a member of our Board and believe that his involvement can increase HIV testing worldwide and decrease the spread of this disease.”
Tony Cataldo, Calypte’s Executive Chairman, added, “Magic Johnson’s decision to join our board also represents a very positive development for our company and its shareholders. He is an extraordinarily successful business leader, and we intend to draw upon his experience and expertise from a strategic standpoint as we go forward.”
Calypte will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. Pacific, to discuss today’s announcement as well the company’s first quarter results, which were disseminated on April 24, 2003. Investors in the U.S. and Canada interested in participating in the conference call may dial 800-257-1836 and reference the Calypte Biomedical call. International investors may dial 212-329-1451. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the investors section of the company’s website at www.calypte.com. The webcast will be available until May 29, 2003. A replay will be available until May 5, 2003 by calling 800-405-2236. International callers should dial 303-590-3000 for the replay. The replay confirmation code is 536115.
The Magic Johnson Foundation, Inc.
The Magic Johnson Foundation (http://www.magicjohnson.org) is a non-profit organization that focuses on improving and addressing the health, educational and social needs of those residing in the inner city. In addition, the Foundation has made a strong commitment to raise awareness about several health and social concerns that threaten under-served communities. Founded in 1991 by basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, MJF has raised more than 20 million dollars for charity.
About Calypte Biomedical:
Calypte Biomedical Corporation headquartered in Alameda, California, is a public healthcare company dedicated to the development and commercialization of urine-based diagnostic products and services for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1), sexually transmitted diseases and other infectious diseases. Calypte's tests include the screening EIA and supplemental Western Blot tests, the only two FDA-approved HIV-1 antibody tests that can be used on urine samples. When compared with existing blood-based tests, our testing algorithms are non-invasive, easier to use, less expensive and have significantly less risk than blood-based testing, and they have 99.7% sensitivity in subjects previously identified as HIV-1 infected and 100% specificity in subjects at low risk when combined with the urine-based Western Blot supplemental test. The company believes that accurate, non-invasive urine-based testing methods for HIV and other infectious diseases may make important contributions to public health by helping to foster an environment in which testing may be done safely, economically, and painlessly. Calypte markets its products in countries worldwide through international distributors and strategic partners.
quelle:www.magicjohnson.org
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