Spectral Diagnostics and IDx report achievement of major milestone in the development of a rapid test for West Nile Virus infection

TORONTO, Aug. 4 /CNW/ - Spectral Diagnostics Inc. (TSX: SDI) and its
joint venture research and development company, IDx Inc., today announce the
first shipment of the new West Nile Virus (WNV IgM STATus(TM)) rapid assay as
a part of a consumer preference program.
Dr. Paul Walker, President and CEO of Spectral stated, "There have
already been several cases of West Nile Virus infection in Canada and 109 in
the U.S., with 45 to date in California alone. Spectral is working with public
health agencies to help evaluate this novel and important assay to help answer
the public need in the current West Nile season".
Dr. Joseph Keffer, Managing Director of IDx added, "The WNV STATus(TM)
assay is intended to be widely deployed as a frontline test for West Nile
Virus infection. The results of our tests are available in approximately 30
minutes permitting rapid determination of exposure to the West Nile Virus. The
test is easily run and is to be used on individual patients. The currently
available products for West Nile testing are limited because they are intended
to be used to test multiple patients at one time in remote reference
laboratories and the results may take weeks before they are available to
clinicians".
West Nile Virus infection is a mosquito borne illness that is known to
have infected tens of thousands of people in North America since its emergence
in the last several years. Infection with West Nile Virus may initially cause
non-specific symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, or other flu-like symptoms
making a specific diagnosis difficult. Infection is common in epidemic areas
and has been documented in as many as 1 in 150 blood donors at times.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, slightly less than 1% of
patients infected with WNV will develop a serious infection such as
encephalitis or meningitis which can result in paralysis or even death. West
Nile Virus has caused over 400 deaths in North America over the last 2 years
and has been found in almost all U.S. states and Canadian provinces.
Spectral is a developer of innovative technologies for rapid diagnostics.
Spectral provides accurate and timely information to clinicians enabling the
early initiation of appropriate and targeted therapy. Current products are
rapid format tests measuring markers of myocardial infarction (Cardiac
STATus(R)). New products include rapid diagnostics for sepsis (EAA(TM)).
Spectral manufactures the EAA(TM) and Cardiac STATus(R). Spectral's common
shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange: SDI.

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 completion of the proposed offering, 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.
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