AcroMetrix Introduces HIV Drug Resistance Genotype Controls to the Clinical Laboratory Market

AcroMetrix Corporation announced a new set of quality control products for laboratories conducting genotypic analyses to identify drug resistance mutations of HIV. These controls ensure that laboratories are conducting the test procedures correctly and identifying the correct mutations in their HIV genotype testing. This is a critical factor in building physician confidence in the quality and accuracy of the information received from molecular diagnostic testing laboratories.

Benicia, CA and Clearwater, FL. April 30, 2002. AcroMetrix Corporation announced today at the 18th Clinical Virology Symposium that it is introducing a new set of quality control products for laboratories conducting genotypic analyses to identify drug resistance mutations of HIV. NAC HIV Drug Resistance Genotype Controls provide molecular diagnostic laboratories with independent, third-party run controls that help build physician confidence in the quality and accuracy of reported test results", said Tersh Raybold, Director of Sales and Marketing for AcroMetrix.

Treatment of HIV infected individuals with antiviral agents has resulted in multiple drug-resistant forms of the virus. Drug resistant mutations that arise during treatment have significantly affected patient management and the long-term effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy. Testing for these types of mutations has become an important factor in developing treatment strategies for individual AIDS patients. Molecular diagnostic laboratories are playing an increasingly significant role in improving clinical outcomes for HIV-1 infected patients by identifying these mutations through HIV-1 drug resistance genotype testing. With this information, clinicians are better able to modify therapy in order to more effectively suppress viral replication and slow disease progression.

As these mutation assays move into routine use, the need arises for independent run controls to ensure that individual operators and laboratories are properly conducting the testing and interpreting the results. AcroMetrix NAC HIV Drug Resistance Genotype controls include a wildtype specimen and two controls with multiple mutations in both the reverse transcriptase and protease genes of the virus. These controls ensure that laboratories are conducting the test procedures correctly and identifying the correct mutations in their HIV genotype testing. This is a critical factor in building physician confidence in the quality and accuracy of the information received from molecular diagnostic testing laboratories.

AcroMetrix is a privately held biotechnology company specializing in the standardization and quality control of molecular diagnostic and genomic technologies. AcroMetrix products and services are used by clinical testing labs, blood banks, and test manufacturers to demonstrate operator proficiency, train and certify new users, and/or compare different test methods. These quality control and standardization programs accelerate the acceptance of new molecular technologies in testing laboratories, and reduce confusion regarding the physicians interpretation of this new molecular information. AcroMetrix has taken the innovative approach of combining these molecular support products and services with advanced Internet solutions to simplify and accelerate the flow of information.

To learn more about AcroMetrix Products and Services please contact Customer Service at jrr@acrometrix.com, visit our website at www.acrometrix.com, or call 888-746-7921.

SOURCE: AcroMetrix Corporation