Approval obtained for rapid MRSA diagnostic test

Quebec City, QC – March 22, 2005 – Biotech company Infectio Diagnostic says it has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its new ultra-rapid test for detecting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

According to the company, this is the first MRSA test cleared by the USFDA for use directly on clinical specimens.

The test also received a licensed from Health Canada in November 2003.

The company says the ultra-rapid identification of MRSA will significantly reduce the costs associated with controlling MRSA infections in hospitals. With the test, an answer is obtained within one hour, whereas the traditional method takes 2 to 5 days.

“Our test provides the medical community with an essential tool for the prevention and control of these infections," says Jean-Pierre Gayral, president of Infectio Diagnostics.