Cavidi signs agreement with the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative to lower costs of HIV monitoring

New HIV viral load assay developed specifically for resource-limited settings joins global procurement consortium

Uppsala, Sweden – Cavidi AB, a producer of medical diagnostic products, today announced an agreement with the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI). Under the agreement, Cavidi’s ExaVir™ Load assay will be immediately available to members of CHAI’s Procurement Consortium at a discounted price. With more than 70 developing countries in the consortium, the agreement is a significant step in making viral load monitoring more accessible to HIV-positive patients in the developing world.

Viral load monitoring is essential for the proper management of HIV-positive patients being treated with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). The test helps doctors use ARVs more effectively to extend a patient’s length and quality of life, limit the development of viral resistance and minimize waste of medication. “Viral load testing is an essential part of HIV management. As more people in the developing world gain access to ARVs, it’s important that access to viral load testing keeps pace,” said Cavidi CEO Martyn Eales. “It’s Cavidi’s goal to make monitoring more accessible in all countries. I’m very pleased with our partnership with President Clinton’s Foundation because it brings us closer to reaching that goal.”

Although viral load monitoring has been a standard part of treatment in developed countries, it has been considered impractical for use in developing nations where HIV infection is most widespread. That is because traditional viral load tests are expensive and require technically advanced laboratory facilities. ExaVir Load is the first HIV viral load test designed to overcome these obstacles. Several independent studies have shown the assay to be as accurate and reliable as any other commercially available test, with the added benefit of being able to detect all known subtypes of HIV. This is particularly important in regions like sub-Saharan Africa where different HIV subtypes are common.

“We face a global HIV/AIDS emergency and laboratory tests are a vital component of HIV/AIDS care and treatment,” said Deepak Verma, CEO of CHAI. “The success of treatment programs is dependent not only on the ability to diagnose and qualify HIV-positive patients for therapy, but also to monitor treatment efficacy and safety and to manage disease treatment. We are pleased to work with Cavidi and commend them for helping to make HIV viral load tests available at lower cost to members of our Procurement Consortium.”