Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc, a multinational manufacturer and distributor of clinical diagnostics products and life science research, has completed the integration of DiaMed Scientific Technologies in India. DiaMed Scientific Technologies was the exclusive distributor of Switzerland-based DiaMed Holding AG, which was acquired by Bio-Rad in October 2007.

Speaking on the occasion Francois Capit - general manager Asia Pacific Bio-Rad Laboratories said, "The core competence of Bio-Rad in providing screening tests for virology, automation and quality control solutions for blood banks and core competence of DiaMed in the field of immunohematology are now merged and offer unique solutions to blood bank customers globally."

Balram Parath, Country manager Bio-Rad Laboratories India said, "Presently there are more than 2,500 registered blood banks in India. Bio-Rad, with its earlier product range for Transmitted Transfusion Infection (TTI), i.e. HIV, Hepatitis B and C screening testing kits and automation and quality controls for blood banks, will now have the gold standard in gel-based grouping cards from DiaMed which will help the blood banks move towards providing safer blood transfusions. Bio-Rad will be the only company offering such solutions to blood banks to ensure the safer blood is available for transfusion in blood banks."

For its part, Bio-Rad has been actively involved in spreading awareness of blood transfusions, groupings and allied issues at various forums, especially in view of rising cases of blood-related disorders. Bio-Rad's R&D, in cooperation with the Pasteur Institute in Paris, has developed highly sensitive and specific TTI detection kits for HIV and Hepatitis C. These kits detect both antigens and antibodies, unlike many others, which detect only one or the other. This enables them to reduce test-processing times and contributes significantly towards ensuring that the blood used for transfusions is safe.