SALV to develop rapid tests with US Navy for dengue fever, typhus.

VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 1996--Saliva Diagnostic Systems Inc. (SDS) announced Monday that the company has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with US Naval Medical Research Unit Two, part of the US Naval Medical Research and Development Command in Bethesda, MD to work cooperatively on developing rapid tests for dengue fever, scrub typhus, and leptospirosis.

The diseases are common to tropical areas of Asia, Latin America and Africa, with some cases recently reported in the lower United States. The SDS-Navy CRADA is made possible by the 1986 Federal Technology Transfer Act, which makes federal laboratories' developments accessible to private industry and local governments for improvement of the economic, social and environmental well-being of the United States. Research will also focus on rapid tests for subtypes of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

"To our knowledge, there are currently no rapid tests for these tropical diseases," said SDS President Ronald Lealos, "even though they can affect millions throughout the world, including US military personnel stationed overseas. The diseases can be very severe and debilitating, even fatal, if not treated quickly. Our aim, with the cooperation of the US Navy, is to expand our rapid antibody test platform to detect these and other diseases."

Dengue (pronounced deng-ee) fever is caused by a virus spread from one infected person to another through certain breeds of mosquitoes. Scrub typhus, also known as tsutsugamushi disease, is transmitted through "chiggers," the larva of mites. Leptospirosis is a widespread disease of livestock transferred to humans by parasites most often through contact with infected animal urine. No vaccine exists for any of the diseases, but patients often respond well to rapid medical treatment.

With onset of modern travel and transport methods, the insect and animal carriers of these diseases have found their way from emerging to developed countries. A type of mosquito that can transmit the dengue virus has recently been detected in California. The World Health Organization estimates two-fifths of the world's population is at risk for dengue fever. The market for rapid tests of the diseases is estimated in the tens of millions.

SDS products include Sero-Strip HIV, a serum-based HIV antibody test, and Hema-Strip HIV, an HIV antibody test that uses a drop of whole blood for analysis. Saliva-Strip HIV, which uses saliva as a diagnostic medium, is in the final stages of development. SDS is also developing a rapid test for H.pylori, an ulcer-causing bacteria. All of the tests provide results outside laboratory settings within a few minutes. The company also sells Omni-SAL, a saliva collector used for HIV testing overseas, and Omni-Swab, a collection device used for DNA testing overseas, and other diagnostic devices.

CONTACT: Saliva Diagnostic Systems Inc.

Joni O'Donahue, 360/696-4800