Biotest Diagnostics Receives FDA Clearance for Full Line of Traditional Blood Ban...( Company's Complete Portfolio of T...)

Company's Complete Portfolio of Transfusion Solutions Offers Choice,

Opportunity for Blood Bank Industry

ROCKAWAY, N.J., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Biotest Diagnostics Corporation (Biotest) -- the U.S. subsidiary of German-based Biotest AG, a worldwide supplier of traditional and automated blood bank solutions -- announces that it has received final clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin marketing its full line of traditional blood bank reagents in North America. Intended for use by donor centers, reference laboratories and hospitals for blood group serology testing, these traditional blood bank reagents complement Biotest's existing portfolio of automated reagents that work with its TANGO|optimo Automated Blood Bank System. The availability of these additional reagents afford customers more comprehensive, cost-effective choices -- marking a major milestone for Biotest and the transfusion medicine industry.

"The ability to efficiently and accurately screen and type blood, as well as match patients and donors is critical, as are the tools we provide the blood banking industry," said Bill Weiss, president, Biotest. "The approval of our traditional reagent line provides laboratory professionals with a vital alternative for their testing needs. Accessibility to more options at competitive prices is a significant offering in today's competitive market. And, as a full-service supplier for laboratories' complete blood typing and testing needs, Biotest is not only helping to strengthen the industry, but is also solidifying its unyielding commitment to customers and their patients."

The traditional reagents that received FDA clearance include:

-- Seraclone(R) Blood Grouping Reagents

-- Biotestcell(R) Reagent Red Blood Cells

-- Rare Typing Reagents

-- Anti-Human Globulins

-- Enhancement Reagents

-- Control Sera and Red Cells

Biotest's Reagent Red Blood
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