TORONTO, July 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spectral Diagnostics Inc. ("Spectral") today announced the conclusion of an agreement with Fisher Healthcare ("Fisher"), a division of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., for the distribution of its RapidWN(TM) West Nile Virus Test ("RapidWN(TM)") in the United States. Product shipments are expected to begin this month. Distribution channels for the RapidWN(TM) are now in place in the United States and in Canada.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has already reported six human cases of West Nile infection in three states as of June 12, 2007, and many states have confirmed the presence of the virus in mosquitoes or avian carriers. The peak incidence of infection typically occurs in August or September of each year.
"We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Fisher for the distribution of our RapidWN(TM)," stated Mr. Robert Verhagen, Vice President of Business Development for Spectral. "Fisher's large and experienced sales force and its extensive geographic coverage provides a significant opportunity for entry of our product into the U.S. market", added Mr. Verhagen.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, enabling its customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With an annual revenue rate of more than $9 billion, it employs 30,000 people and serves over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as environmental and industrial process control settings. Serving customers through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, the company helps solve analytical challenges from routine testing to complex research and discovery. Thermo Scientific offers customers a complete range of high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents to enable integrated laboratory workflow solutions. Fisher Scientific provides a complete portfolio of laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used in healthcare, scientific research, safety and education. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. offers the most convenient purchasing options to customers and continuously advances technologies to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, enhance value for customers and fuel growth for shareholders and employees alike. Visit http://www.thermofisher.com/.
Spectral is a developer of innovative technologies for comprehensive disease management. Spectral provides accurate and timely information to clinicians enabling the early initiation of appropriate and targeted therapy. Current products include Spectral's FDA approved rapid diagnostic for sepsis (EAA(TM)) and its FDA approved rapid diagnostic for West Nile Virus (RapidWN(TM)), as well as a range of other biological reagents. Spectral's common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SDI. Visit http://www.spectraldx.com/.
Information in this news release that is not current or historical factual information may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. Implicit in this information, particularly in respect of the future outlook of Spectral and anticipated events or results, are assumptions based on beliefs of Spectral's senior management as well as information currently available to it. While these assumptions were considered reasonable by Spectral at the time of preparation, they may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned that actual results are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the ability of Spectral to take advantage of business opportunities in the biomedical industry, the granting of necessary approvals by regulatory authorities as well as general economic, market and business conditions, and could differ materially from what is currently expected.
