TORONTO, July 24 /CNW/ - Spectral Diagnostics Inc. (SDI: TSX) today reported key advances that contributed to the development of Spectral's novel rapid diagnostic test for West Nile Virus. The data is being presented at the AACC 2006 annual meeting in Chicago, July 23 to July 27. The AACC is the largest meeting in the world for the business of laboratory medicine. Spectral is making a total of four scientific presentations, demonstrating its leading work in the area of rapid and accurate detection of West Nile Virus infection. "Spectral scientists are presenting key advances showing our strength in assay development," stated Dr. Paul Walker, President and CEO. "These include development of the necessary recombinant proteins, antibody purification, and sensitivity and specificity of this assay. Spectral is filing for patents relating to its leading work in this area," he added. Spectral's West Nile Virus Rapid 1 assay is the first test designed to provide rapid results in less than one hour to clinicians assessing and treating individual patients in the acute setting. This also makes it useful for public health personnel in the early detection of outbreaks. The test has regulatory approval and is commercially available in Canada. Spectral is actively engaged in the regulatory process for other major markets. West Nile Virus infection is a mosquito borne illness that is believed to have infected tens of thousands of patients in North America since its emergence in the last several years. Many patients with West Nile Virus infection will be unaware of it, or may have non-specific symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, or other flu-like symptoms that are difficult for physicians to diagnose. Current testing practices may take up to two weeks to provide clinical results. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, about 1 in 150 patients infected with WNV will develop a serious infection such as encephalitis or meningitis, which can result in paralysis or even death. Already this year (2006) in both Canada and the United States there have been reported cases of West Nile Virus infection and associated deaths. 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 rapid West Nile Virus assay and its FDA approved rapid diagnostic for sepsis, the EAA(TM), as well as a range of other biological reagents. Spectral's common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange: SDI. Information in this news release that is not current or historically factual information may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. Implicit in this information, 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. %SEDAR: 00002006E