Bio-Rad India, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Bio-Rad Laboratories USA, has announced that the launch of new Ultra test kits for HIV, Hepatitis B and C virus in the Indian market. These kits have been developed by Bio-Rad in association with the renowned Pasteur Institute of France.

"Presently it takes approximately 20-25 days for detection of antibody in HIV and approximately 45-60 days for HCV, this time period shall be reduced to 8 - 10 days by detecting both antigen and antibody for HIV and 4 -10 days for HCV" said Dhiren Wagle, Country Manager for Bio-Rad India. He further added "earlier detection by both antigen and antibody will reduce the window period and shall help doctors at Blood bank be able to provide safer blood".

The HIV and Hepatitis test kits shall be marketed under the brand name of Genscreen HIV Ultra Ag-Ab, HBsAg Ultra and Monolisa HCV Ultra Ag-Ab respectively. The new generation kit is most advanced in its segment thanks to its antigen detection ability.

Recently Bio-Rad had also launched an advanced antigen based test kit for early detection of Dengue virus under the brand name 'Platelia Dengue NS1 Ag Assay '. The kit which is amongst the best available in the market substantially cuts down the detection period to 2 days from earlier of 6-7 days.

Bio-Rad Laboratories is a global company that has remained at the centre of scientific discovery for more than 50 years by providing a broad range of innovations, tools and services to the Clinical Diagnostics and Life Science research markets.