Abbott Laboratories Secures Contract Amendment for Blood Screening Test

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. -- Abbott Laboratories

announced today its current contract with the American Red Cross has been

amended to supply a second infectious disease test for screening donated

blood. Through this amendment, Abbott will now supply the American Red Cross

with the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) assay, in addition to continuing

to supply the test for HIV-1/-2 antibodies.

"We're pleased that the American Red Cross has selected our hepatitis B

test for use in their laboratories. Every year 15 million units of blood,

plasma and tissue are screened using Abbott assays. This contract amendment

extends our mutual commitment to ensuring the safety of the blood supply,"

said Joseph M. Nemmers, senior vice president of diagnostic operations at Abbott

Laboratories.

Approximately 8 million volunteer blood donors donate about 15 million

units of whole blood in the United States each year. The American Red Cross

supplies nearly half of the nation's blood supply to patients in more than

3,000 hospitals.

The American Red Cross is dedicated to helping make families and

communities safer at home and around the world. Governed by volunteers and

supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide

network of more than 900 chapters and Blood Services regions dedicated to

saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to

emergencies.

Abbott Laboratories is a global, broad-based healthcare

company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of

pharmaceutical, nutritionals and medical products, including devices and

diagnostics. The company employs more than 70,000 people and markets its

products in more than 130 countries.

Source: Abbott Laboratories